BANCROFT 
LIBRARY 

O 

THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 


iHEl 


A  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION 


OF 


POETRY  AND  PROSE 


SELECTED    FROM    THE   WRITINGS    OF 


MRS.  C  K.  SMITH. 
("LUCRETIA  RUSSELL") 


MARCH   13,  1908. 

]  Yes,  I  am  ninety-one  today  ; 
The   world  is  just  as  bright  and  gay 
As  when  I  was  but  "  sweet  sixteen," 
And  not  so  many  years  between  ! 


SAN  DIEGO,  CALIFORNIA. 

DECEMBER,  1908. 

Printed  at  the  office  of  The  Humanitarian  Review,  Los  Angeles,  Cal. 


.2.     - 

S4/S- 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION,  POETRY  AND  PROSE    5 


INTRODUCTION 

LUCRETIA  RUSSELL  GRAY  SMITH,  the  author  of 
the  contents  of  this  book,  was  born  at  Reading,  Vermont, 
March  1  3th,  1817,  but  removed  thence  when  two  years  old, 
so  that  her  earliest  recollection  is  of  a  home  on  the  beau- 
tiful Quechee  River  at  Woodstock,  in  that  state. 

She  is  the  daughter  of  Dr.  Joseph  and  Eunice  Russell 
Gray.  Her  father  was  a  cousin  of  George  Bancroft,  the 
historian,  and  was  a  prominent  physician  of  his  time  and 
locality.  He  lived  to  be  9 1  years  old,  retaining  to  the  last 
an  unusual  degree  of  vigor  both  of  body  and  mind.  Her 
mother  was  a  native  of  Cavendish,  Vermont,  sister  of  John 
Russell,  LL.  D.,  and  a  relative  of  Lord  John  Russell  of  Eng- 
land. She  possessed  good  literary  taste,  a  refined  mind,  a 
cheerful  spirit,  a  vivid  imagination  that  invested  her  con- 
versation with  peculiar  charm,  and  was  especially  consid- 
erate of  the  feelings  of  others.  She  passed  away  at  the 
age  of  68. 

Dr.  John  Russell  was  born  July  31st,  1  793,  and  lived  to 
be  70.  He  was  distinguished  as  a  scholar  and  author. 
His  most  active  years  were  spent  in  Central  Illinois,  where, 
as  teacher  and  writer,  he  exerted  a  great  and  beneficent 
influence.  One  of  his  productions, "  The  Worm  of  the  Still," 
found  a  place  in  the  school  readers  of  the  time,  and  by  its 


6    SOUVENIR  COLLECTION,  POETRY  AND  PROSE 

translation  into  several  languages  became  well  known  as  a 
classic  in  the  temperance  literature  of  the  world. 

The  history  of  Mrs.  Smith's  life  after  marriage  is  briefly 
outlined  in  the  account  of  her  golden  wedding  anniversary 
published  herein. 

This  book  contains  only  a  portion  of  what  Mrs.  Smith 
has  written  during  her  long  and  useful  life.  It  is  published 
while  the  beloved  author  is  still  living,  at  the  request  of  her 
loving  children  and  especially  for  them,  and  its  contents 
were  selected  and  prepared  for  publication  by  them.  It 
contains  something,  either  in  prose  or  rhyme,  from  every 
year  of  the  author's  life  to  date  since  she  began  to  write  for 
publication,  although  dates  are  given  of  only  a  few  of  the 
selections  and  they  are  not,  as  a  whole,  arranged  accord- 
ing to  the  sequence  of  their  production.  Some  of  the  selec- 
tions were  published  over  the  author's  real  name,  some 
over  the  name  of  Lucretia  Russell,  and  some  over  other 
pen  names.  Explanatory  notes  have  been  inserted  where 
they  seem  to  be  demanded. 

San  Diego,  Cal.,  October,  1908.  B. 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF   POEMS 


TRANSMUTATION. 
August,    1907. 

Like  the  ocean's  ebb  and  flow 
Force  and  substance  change  also, 
While  we  wake  and  while  we  sleep, 
Equilibrium  to  keep. 
Putrid  would  the  ocean  be 
Were  it  still,  like  a  dead  sea; 
Give  and  take  alone   is  life, 
Where  activity  is  rife. 

Sow  with  clover-seed  a  field, 
Substance  the  earth  will  yield  ; 
When  the  clover  is  well  grown, 
By  all  husbandmen  'tis  known, 
That  plowed  under  it  will  yield 
Substance  back  unto  the  field. 

Study  nature — you  will  learn 
What  with  money  you  can't  earn ; 
Consider  how  the  lilies  grow — 
By  digging  you  can  never  know. 
Transmutation  is  the  word 
By  which  nature  all  is  stirred ; 
Water,  earth  and  air  combined 
Never  will  create  a  mind. 

Mind  can  study  and  discern 
Qualities  that  will  return  ; 
Moral  features  cultivate — 
There  is  no  such  thing  as  fate. 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS 

Straight  and  narrow  fs  the  way 
From  which  none  should  ever  stray. 
Uprightness  and  rectitude 
Abide  with  us*  or  ever  should. 

Plants  by  cultivation  thrive, 
But  they  first  must  be  alive. 
What  is  it  that  gives  them  life  ? 
Will  this  question  lead  to  strife  ? 
Canst  thou  God  by  searching  find- — 
See,  canst,  thou  more  than  the  blind  ? 
Then  look  ap  and  nature  view. 
And  the  truth  wifl  come  to  you. 

Eyes  see  not  and  ears  hear  not,. 
Nor  has  entered  in  the  thought, 
Things  that  here  have  been  prepared! 
To  be  now  by  people  shared. 
AH  things  do  in  circles  ran. 
Meeting  where  they  first  begun  ; 
Yesterday  was  as  to-day — 
Thus  it  has  been  all  the  way. 

Jesus  tried  to  teach  us  this, 
But  ignored  were  words  of  His. 
Babes  are  born,  old  people  die, 
Can  a  person  tell  us  why? 
Sages  say  that  it  was  sin 
Oped  the  door  to  let  death  in ! 
Will  not  something  close  that  door 
Which  grim  death  still  stands  before? 
If  we  live  the  living  life — 
Dwell  together  without  strife, 
Is  the  way  it  can  be  closed- 
Nothing  then  can  be  opposed  I 

Law  is  God,  and  God  is  law; 
This  the  sages  surely  saw» 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS  9 

As  they  clambered  o'er  the  rocks ; 
Rocks  compared  with  running  brooks. 
Also  with  the  roving  flocks. 
People  reap  just  what  they  sow, 
Figs  do  not  on  thistles  grow ; 
Plant  a  seed,  it  may  be  grain, 
You  expect  the  same  again — 
And  upon  the  selfsame  ground 
Will  the  fruitage  all  be  found  ! 

With  capacity  so  small. 
No  one  person  can  know  all1! 
What  we  fix  the  mind  upon,  € 

On  that  subject  light  wili  dawn. 
One  learns  this,  another  that, 
There  is  nothing  to  combat; 
Give  and  take  is  here  the  plan 
To  be  exercised  by  man ; 
You  can  give  me  what  you  know. 
Something   I  return  to  you  ; 
Doing  thus  for  one  another  — 
Proving  truly  each  a  brother! 

Every  inch  of  space  is  filled. 
The  creator  has  so  willed ; 
All  His  ways  are  orderly, 
This  the  wise  ones  always  see. 
Nature  gives  example  true 
How  humanity  should  do — 
Do  the  more  and  say  the  less, 
None  would  then  be  left  to  guess, 

*'Do  his  will,  and  ye  shall  know," 
This  is  positive  and  true ; 
If  we  daily  heavenward  go, 
Beneath  broader  landscapes  show, 
And  we  get  a  clearer  view 
Of  the  past  and  present  too ! 


10  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS 


BORN  LEADERS. 

Some  persons  are  born  leaders, 

Others  must  be  led. 
All  cannot  be  the  fingers, 

Nor  each  one  be  the  h  sad. 

Each  in  his  place  is  needed, 

Not  one  can  be  denied. 
If  only  worth  is  heeded 

Their  usefulness  is  wide. 

No  one  should  feel  inferior, 
If  well  he  fills  his  place. 

He  aids  his  own  superior 

And  saves  his  hsad  disgrace. 

Can  we  tell  which  is  the  first 
The  ebb  or  flow  of  the  tides? 

But  the  force  that  sends  them  forth 
In   the  return  resides. 

The  sun  sends  his  warming  rays, 
The  earth  responds  and  feeds 

The  luminous,  ardent  rays, 
And  no  obstacles  it  heeds. 

Thus  the  world  is  kept  in  poise, 

Diminish  and  supply. 
Neither  hear  we  shout  or  noise 

As  these  great  feats  go  by. 

Men  of  true  discernment  see 

And  duly  understand 
That  all  is  ruled  in  harmony, 

Just  as  the  Lord  has  planned. 


How  little  would  be  written 
And  how  little  would  be  said, 

If  only  what  we  £nou)  we  fanou) 
Were  ever  published  or  read. 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS  1 1 

*  WORDS,  WORDS,  WORDS!1 

'Over  225,000  Words  In  the  English  Language." 

What  can  we  do  with  all  these  words 
If  we  can't  rhyme  them  into  swords? 
Swords  two-edged,  which  cut  both  ways 
And  pierce  delinquents  or  delays  ? 

The  sword  that  hung  by  just  one  hair 
By  no  means  will  with  this  compare ; 
The  modern  sword  which  by  a  chain 
Hangs  pendent  from  the  people's  brain! 

The  people's  verdict  galling  is 
To  one  who  dares  assert  as  his 
The  privilege  of  saying  what 
Is  truly  his  own  honest  thought 

Away  with  prosy  words  and  cant ; 
Away  with  things  we  do  not  want; 
Give  people  scientific  facts, 
That  truth  may  govern  all  their  acts 

1  for  one  will  not  object 
To  having  every  word  protect 
Each  person  in  his  struggles  for 
Expression  true  as  true  thoughts  are. 


WHATS  BEST  FOR  THEE  IS  BEST  FOR  ME. 

What's  best  for  thee  is  best  for  me, 
For  all  are  of  one  family  ; 
Whatever  sullies  thy  fair  name, 
To  me  likewise  occasions  shame. 

One  upright,  honest,  noble  face, 
Which  well  befits  the  human  race, 
A  blessing  is  to  all  mankind, 
Because  it  elevates  the  mind. 


12  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS 


"NO  NEW  THINGS/ 

What  the  wise  man  said  is  true, 
There  is  surely  nothing  new  : 
"  No  new  things  under  the  sun," 
All  that  can  be  has  been  done. 

Man  in  ancient  times  discerned, 
What  we  yet  may  not  have  learned, 
That  a  circle  does  not  end. 
That  God's  laws  do  not  unbend. 

Five  times  five  was  twenty-five, 
When  the  wise  man  was  alive  ; 
So  it  is  with  every  law, 
Always  just,  without  a  flaw. 

As  to-day  was  yesterday, 
So  it  will  be  all  the  way ; 
Morning,  noon  and  night  the  same, 
Changed  is  nothing  but  the  name. 

What  has  been  again  will  be, 
This  each  thoughtful  one  can  see. 
History  itself  repeats ; 
This  the  truth  also  admits. 

Thus  the  poet  seemed  to  know 

That  reality  would  show 

Much  of  life  was  like  a  dream, 

"  And  things  are  not  what  they  seem. 

Laws  are  stable,  sure  and  true, 
But  they  never  can  be  new ; 
We  may  learn  them  if  we  will, 
But  the  laws,  the  same  are  still. 


SATISFACTION. 

Naught  can  come  to  do  me  harm, 
God  can  every  foe  disarm  ; 
He  in  me  and  I  in  him 
Fills  my  cup  unto  the  brim ! 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS  13 


KNOWLEDGE. 

This   is  the  scientific  age, 
Which  may  be  read  on  nature's  page 
So  plain  that  he  who  runs  may  read- 
No  one  need  ignorance  to  plead. 

*  Tis  time  to  leave  all  fallacies, 

Time  Truth  to  own  for  what  it  is ; 

Too  long  we!ve  groped  by  merely  guessing, 

Now  we  must  know  and  get  the  blessing— 

The  blessing  of  the  Truth  bestowed; 
Throw  off  the  old,  pernicious  load, 
And  waken  to  the  light  of  Truth, 
Which  will  alone  renew  our  youth. 

Truth  also  now  can  be  applied 
To  all  that  is  to  earth  allied ; 
Philosophizing  has  gone  by. 
Behind  must  all  but  knowledge  lie ! 


LONGEVITY. 

The  Bible  tells  of  persons  who 
Lived  several  hundred  years ! 

Could  people  now  the  same  thing  do 
By  banishing  their  fears  ? 

We  should  not  fear  disease  or  death, 

Nor    any    evil   thing, 
Because  the  author  of  our  breath 

Can  only  goodness  bring. 

Believing  God  does  all  things  well, 

That  every  thing  is  right, 
We  can  in  peace  and  comfort  dwell, 

Walking  by  Faith,  not  sight. 


14  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS 


BE    HOPEFUL. 

Why  grumble  and  bring  on  distress 

And  weariness  of  heart, 
When  God  intends  our  souls  to  bless 

And  every  good  impart  ? 

Why  can't  we  grateful  be  alway 
For  mercies  which  are  ours, 

Instead  of  fretting  on  what  may 
Exhaust  our  men  Lai  powers? 

We  barter  all  our  strength  away 

On  things  imaginary — 
On  things  that  last  but  one  short  day 

And  every  hour  they  vary ! 

They  vary  as  the  shifting  sands, 
The  waves  are  tossing  round  ; 

Whereon  today  one  safely  stands. 
Tomorrow  naught  is  found. 


SUN  WORSHIPPERS. 

I  do  love  the  brilliant  sun, 
Emblem  of  the  Holy  One, 
Typifying  Life  and  Love, 
Emblem  of  our  heaven  above. 

Ancient  wise  ones,  we  are  told  - 
Wise  ones,  ardent,  too,  and  bold, 
Did  their  God  in  Phoebus  see 
Which  wa«  not  idolatry. 

But  true  worship  of  the  Good 
As  the  ancients  understood  ; 
Light  and  life,  as  warmth  and  air 
Emblems  of  our  Father's  care. 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS  1 5 


CHANGE. 

Change,  not  loss,  is  going  on, 
Nothing  gained  and  nothing  gone  ; 
Much  required  where  much  is  given, 
Much  used  aright,  the  path  to  heaven. 

You  can  find  heaven  even  here, — 
Here  upon  this  earthly  sphere  ; 
Need  not  wait  until  you  die, 
For  the  bliss  is  always  nigh. 

You  may  accept  or  may  deny, 
On  this  same  fact  you  can  rely  ; 
Heaven  and  hell  are  everywhere, 
Either  one  you  can  now  share! 

Then  joy  or  sorrow  you  may  reap 
And  happiness  within  can  keep  ; 
However  turbulent  outside, 
In  peace  and  quiet  you  reside ! 


COMPENSATION. 

If  you  think,  and  say,  .and  do, 
What  is  right,  and  just,  and  true, 
Then  the  graces  you  will  woo 
All  the  way  your  journey  through. 

Cloudy  days  will  then  seem  bright, 
Dark  will  never  be  the  night ; 
Light  within  will  radiate, 
Circling  'round  your  outward  state. 

And  the  thoughts  within  that  burn 
Will  externalize  in  turn, 
And  your  pathway  surely  strew 
With  the  choicest  flowef  s  that  grow. 

For  thoughts  and  words  are  real  thing* 
And  they  fly  as  if  with  wings, 
And  whate'er  you  think  or  say 
Will  return  to  you  some  day. 


16  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS 

OCEAN   BEACH. 
(San  Diego,  Cal.) 

A  sight  where  Nature  loved  to  trace 
As  it  for  gods  a  dwelling  place ; 
A  wealth  of  scenery  sublime, 
And  music  as  of  bells  in  chime. 

The  music  of  the  ocean  wave, 
Where  gently  rolling  billows  lave 
A  varied  beach  of  rocks  and  shells, 
And  sea-flowers  in  their  dainty  dells. 

The  changing  views  on  sea  and  land 
Are  picturesque,  and  truly  grand ; 
The  mussels  fresh  you  here  procure,— 
How  gladden  they  the  epicure ! 

Both  Art  and  Nature  here  aspire 
To  rival  each  with  something  higher 
Than  heretofore  has  been  achieved, 
Or  by  the  world  has  been  received. 

A  sheltered  nook  where  lovers  meet, 

In  golden  silence  here  repeat 

The  sentiment  of  love  alone, 

For  words  are  needless  on  Love's  throne. 

No  pencil,  pen  or  oral  speech 

C^m  fitly  picture  Ocean  Beach ; 

One  day  the  waves  dash  mountain  high 

Again  in  quietude  they  lie. 

I  beg  you,  visit  this  quaint  spot, 
Explore  at  will  the  Fairy  Grot, 
And  if  you  can  believe  your  eyes, 
You'll  think  youVe  entered  Paradise ! 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS  I  7 


TO  A  CHILD 
PLAYING  WITH   A  SUNBEAM. 

Thou'rt  trying  to  grasp  a  sunbeam, 

With  thy  skill  and  might, 
Which  the  "King  of  Day"  is  tending  forth 

So  dazzlingly  bright. 

With  admiration  thou  dost  gaze 

Upon  those  lucid  beams, 
Wond'ring  a  ray  thou  canst  not  clasp, 

As  across  thy  hand  it  gleams. 

Many  a  child  when  older  grown 

Than  thou,  my  Mary  Jane, 
Has  pressed  a  phantom  to  his  brow, 

And  sought  its  hold  to  gain. 

O  may  such  wisdom  beam  on  thee 

As  shall  guide  thee  aright — 
More  just,  more  substantial  and  true. 

Than  the  dictates  of  sight. 

In  the  sunlight  of  God's  eye, 

May'st  thou  ever  be  kept ; 
Even  when  from  this  broad  earth, 

All  that's  mortal  be  swept. 

In  that  land  of  constant  day, 

Where  God  eternal  dwells, 
And  a  radiance  all  His  own, 

The  sun's  brightness  excels. 

There  among  that  glittering  throng, 

Mayest  thou  be  found, 
When  the  ransomed  ones  of  earth 

Shall  His  throne  surround. 


18  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS 


WHISPERINGS  OF  NATURE. 

Watching  the  tree-tops  in  the  wind, 

Swaying  to  and  fro, 
Rocking,  swinging  in  the  breeze 

As  it  was  high  or  low. 

And  they  trembled,  quivered,  nestled, 

As  if  clasping  hands, 
And  were  thus  protection  seeking 

From  the  reckless  winds. 

Then  a  heavy  branch  went  bending 

Seemed  to  startle  leaves, 
And  adown  they  hung  their  heads 

Like  a  child  that  grieves. 

So,  like  sentient  things  they  frolicked 

In  their  airy  home, 
Laughing,  sporting  with  each  other 

"Neath  the  lofty  dome, 

How  much  we  miss,  not  looking  up, 

Even  below  the  skies  ; 
Nature  smiles  and  tells  her  friends 

She  has  for  them  a  prize. 

We  must  go  to  her  to  find  it 
And  we  must  look,  to  gain 

What  she  has  in  store  for  us — 
In  order  to  obtain. 

Fairies  dwell  within  each  leaflet 

As  in  the  days  of  yore, 
And  they  whisper  if  we  listen 

Just  as  they  did  before. 

Ah,  what  lovely  tales  they  tell  us 

Of  what  we  do  not  see, 
Because  our  mental  eyes  are  holden 

We  see  not  things  that  be. 

There  is  naught  but  love  above  us, 

Naught  but  love  below, 
Naught  but  goodness  round  about  us, 

And  all  is  white,  like  snow. 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  ;;OF  POEMS  19 


THE  RESTLESS  SEA. 

O,  the  sea,  the  restless  sea  ! 
Fmblem  of  humanity  — 
Where's  the  oil  to  still  the  waves  ? 
Check  their  making  watery  graves  J* 

High  the  billows  toss  and  roll  ; 
Low  the  liquid  shallows  stroll, 
L  ike  the  human  seas  of  earth, 
Wild  with  sad  or  joyous  mirth, 

Heaving,  tossing,  never  still, 
As  the  surging  human  will, 
Follows  the  receding  wave, 
Surging  to  a  lonely  grave. 

JSo  do  people  in  their  wrath, 
Travel  in  an  unknown  path, 
Leading  to  the  very  brink 
Where  the  fatal  depth  would  sink. 


E'en  the  most  substantial 
'Sailing  windward  or  afloat, 
Sailing  east  or  sailing  west, 
Change  they  find,  but  never  rest. 


WHAT  IS  CALLED  DEATH. 
(April  31,  1908.) 

O  death  1  we  welcome  thee 
Not  as  an  enemy, 
But  as  a  friend  brought  nigh 
On  whom  we  can  rely  I 

Paul  said  to  die  is  gain, 
Nor  need  we  then  complain, 
For  we  shall  live  again 
On  Jerusalem's  Plain ! 

Death  can  no  more  hurt  life 
Than  darkness  can  end  strife ; 
Life  is  life  and  will  not  die, 
God  alone  can  tell  you  why ! 


20  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POE.MS 


PREJUDICE. 

We  build  a  wall  of  prejudice; 

A  wall  both  high  and  strong, 
And  think  that  all  outside  of  this 

is  to  be  shunned  as  wrong ! 

We  hardly  dare  to  peep  above 

This  wall  that  we  have  built; 
We  might  see  something  that  would  shove 

Us  down  in  depths  of  guilt  I 

Our  love  is  overcome  by  fear, 

We  dare  not  trust  ourselves ; 
The  light  to  us  is  never  clear 

As  one  in  darkness  delves. 

Until  our  needless  fears  are  quelled 

No  progress  do  we  make, 
Just  as  a  forest  tree  that's  felled 

No  further  growth  can  take. 

The  aim  of  the  Freethinker  is 

To  raze  this  senseless  wall. 
This  senseless  wall  of  Prejudice, 

And  Freedom  give  to  all ! 


HIS  EIGHTIETH   BIRTHDAY. 

(On    the    Eightieth  Birthday  of   Charles 
Kendall  Smith,  husband  of  the  Author.) 

I  note  the  silver  halo 

About  the  dear  one's  head, 

I  note  the  voice  so  mellow 
In  all  that  he  has  said. 

His  ripened  visage  tells  me 
He  has  not  lived  in  vain, 

However  strong  the  ills  be, 
He  never  does  complain ! 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS  21 


Though  physically  aged. 
His  spirit  always  young, 

He  leaves  no  things  engaged  in 
With  head,  or  hand,  or  tongue, 

He's  growing  old  gracefully — 

No,  no,  he  is  not  old — 
He  stands  upright  as  ever 

And  walks  as  straight  and  bold. 

The  cheerful  never  do  grow  old. 
They  only  seem  more  ripe  ; 

This  is  a  tale  that  is  twice  told. 
But  never  old  or  trite  1 


LOVE  UNAPPRECIATED. 

So  few  accepted  Jesus 

When  in  the  world  He  dwelt, 
No  wonder  that  H=  sorrowed, 

While  love  for  all  He  felt 

Love  always  for  reviling 
He  never  failed  to  give, 

And  yet  they  chose  Barabbas 
Instead  of  Christ  to  live. 

How  foolish  are  most  people 
In  choosing  not  the  best, 

While  searching  for  the  blessings 
Of  which  they  are  in  quest 


HARMONY, 

Study  nature,  and  you'll  see 
On  the  mountain  and  the  lea, 

Although  great  diversity, 
There  is  always  harmony! 


22  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS 


TO  MY  MOTHER. 

Words  have  no  power  to  express 
All  her  soul's  deep  tenderness, 
In  my  heart  of  heart's  recess 

Tis  only  known. 

Days  of  weariness  and  toil, 
Nights  of  anguish  and  turmoil, 
Never  could  her  kindness  foil 

Or  grief  proclaim, 

In  her  bosom  she  would  bear, 
Every  sorrow  centered  there, 
And  did  not  wish  her  child  to  share 
In  her  distress. 

When  called  to  leave  my  native  place. 
She  bade  "  good  bye"  with  smiling  face, 
Nor  wished  that  aught  should  e'er  efface 
!Jj^*.  My  happiness. 

Now  when  kindly  letters  come 
From  her  to  my  western  home 
I  feel  the  friend  I'm  parted  from, 

More  dear  to  me. 


TO  CHILDREN   GONE   FROM  HOME. 

What  is  life  worth  away  from  friends, 

Away  from  those  you  love  ? 
A  few  brief  years,  and  travel  ends, 

And  you  no  longer  rove ! 

Why  bruise  the  heart  with  loneliness  ? 

Why  trudge  along  alone — 
Afar  from  home  and  happiness, 

To  dearest  joys  unknown  ? 

Why  not  come  back  and  dwell  with  me 

As  erst  in  days  gone  by  ? 
The  same  bright  days  again  we'll  see 

As  swift  the  moments  fly ! 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS  23 

Ah,  no^  we  can't  live  o'er  again 

The  selfsame  blissful  days ! 
For  mem'ry  with  its  mingled  pain 
Says  changed  are  all  ttiose  ways? 

Yes,  change  Is  written  over  all 

The  checkered  walks  of  life, 
And  weal  and  woe  alike  befall 

The  parent,  child  and  wife! 

Then  fasten  not  your  hopes  on  things 

That  perish  with  their  use  ; 
Neither  let  riches,  which  have  wings. 

Tempt  to  the  -souPs  abuse. 

But  bags  well  buy  which  wax  not  old 

And  garments  that  endure, 
Garments  neither  bought  nor  sold, 

Raiment  white  and  pure. 

When  friends  we'll  find  where'er  we  go. 

And  homes  and  hearts  most  true ; 
And  loneliness  no  longer  know; 

Each  day  brings  something  new! 

Thus  heaven  and  earth  combine   to  make 

The  dwellers  here  rejoice, 
And  we  as  well  our  share  may  take — 

Extend  the  same  with  heart  and  voice. 


TODAY, 

Let  the  dead  past,  bury  its  dead— 
This  has  in  Scripture  been  well  said. 
Today  we'll  try  to  do  and  be 
What  seemeth  right  and  best  to  Thee ! 


24  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS 


CALIFORNIA  POPPY. 

The  State  Flower,  Eschscholtzia, 

A  beauty  like  the  morning  star 

It  opes  its  petals  to  the  sun, 

And  shuts  them  when  the  day  is  done 

Who  knows  but  while  we  also  sleep 
It  folds  it  eyelids,  not  to  weep 
But  to  regain  refreshing  rest, 
As  low  the  sun  sinks  in  the  west  ? 

Like  living  things  at  sunrise  dawnr 
If  you  look  out  upon  the  lawn, 
You'll  there  behold  its  gorgeousnesss 
As  if  it  came  the  earth  to  bless. 

Some  are  creamy,  almost  whiter 
Laughing  in  the  silvery  light, 
But  more  are  vieing  with  the  sun, 
From  brightest  gold  to  orange  run. 

The  foliage  green  and  delicate 
Its  dainty  stems  of  pearly  slate, 
Trembling  with  the  wealth  of  sheera 
Which  mingles  with  the  olive  green. 

But  you  must  see  the  flower  to  know 
How  it  can  talk,  and  laugh,  and  grow  ; 
Then  you  will  think  it  understands 
The  all  of  life  and  its  demands. 


QUESTIONINGS. 

The  world  has  stood  since  Time  began 
Before  the  cognizance  of  man. 
We,  mortals,  living  in  this  age, 
In  doubtful  questionings  engage. 

Whence  we  came  and  where  we  go 
We  feel  that  we  may  never  know  ; 
So  many  theories  afloat, 
We  look  around  to  find  a  boat, 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS  25 

A  boat  that's  staunch,    where  we,   at  ease. 
May  safely  cross  lifers  billowy  seas, 
And  we  may  learn  without  a  doubt, 
And  know  the  Universe  throughout 

Do  we  have  longings  not  supplied  ) 
Are  all  our  questionings  denied  ? 
Does  God  give  aspirations  void  — 
No  satisfaction  e'er  enjoyed  ? 

God  does  not  work  that  careless  way; 
Find  out  these  things  ;  he  says  we  may, 
if  we  inquire  within  for  facts, 
The  truthful  answer  is  not  lax. 

But  if  we  halfway  want  to  know, 
The  answers  coming  will  be  slow; 
In  earnest  thou  must  always  be, 
And  then  the  truth  will  come  to  thee. 


NOW   IS  THE  TIME. 

Some  talk  of  happy  days  gone  by — 

My  happy  days  are  now ; 
While  memory  brings  past  bright  days  nigh. 

This  day's  good  we  allow. 

Yes,  each  new  day  1  try  to  make 

Advance  on  yesterday — 
One  day  less  of  earth's  road  to  take 

Toward  the  heavenly  way. 

As  day  by  day  we  walk  that  way 
The  road  grows  smooth  the  while; 

The  somber  clouds  and  evening  gray 
May  brilliant  hopes  beguile. 

Thus  we  may  happiness  possess, 

And  happiness  impart; 
Making  in  life  our  troubles  less. 

With  loving,  hopeful  heart. 


26  SOUVENIR  COLLECTIONT  OF  POEMS 


PROGRESS. 

IVe  hitched  my  wagon  to  a  star, 
I've  chained  the  wheel  of  chance  1 

The  highest  my  ambitions  are, 
And  thus  I  must  advance ! 

I  will  not  tarry  to  contend 
With  those  of  lesser  speed,. 

But  will  go  on  unto  the  end, 
And  surely  shall  succeed. 

I  shall  succeed  in  finding  out 
Some  things  I  ought  to  know,, 

From  seen  and  unseen  element: 
How  nature's  products  grow! 

How  nature  is  a  part  of  All, 

And  All  a  part  of  One ; 
Not  even  does  a  sparrow  falU 

Nor  any  slight  thing  done 

Without  trie  nctice  cf  tre  Cne 

Who  is  Omnipotence ! 
Through  whom  all  efforts  are  begun 

For  truth  against  pretence ! 


MY  MOTHER. 

The  whole  world  seemed  changed  to  me 
When  my  precious  mother  died. 

Although  far  apart  were  we 
This  did  not  our  souls  divide. 

She  still  watches  over  me 

And  is  often  by  my  side ; 
Though  her  form  I  do  not  see. 

Yet  she  can  with  me  reside. 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS  27 

Tis  a  pleasant  thought  to  me 

That  she  still  can  be  my  guide 
As  in  youth  she  used  to  be 

When  she  was  my  only  pride. 

When  the  summons  comes  to  me 

-  To  engage  in  scenes  untried, 
With  my  mother  and  soul  free, 
I  shall  then  be  satisfied ! 


"LIVE  WHILE  WE  LIVE." 

To  number  three  score  years  and  ten, 
To  dwell  in  richest  halls  of  men, 
To  travel  all  this  wide  world  o'er 
And  gain  a  wealth  of  human  lore — 
This — this  is  not  to  live. 

To  scale  the  brow  of  Science'  hill, 
To  wield  a  monarch's  staff  at  will, 
To  roam  o'er  star-paved  fields  of  thought, 
And  vain  chimeras  bring  to  naught — 
This — this  is  not  to  live. 

Our  Saviour  Christ  was  older  far 
Than  was  indeed  Methuselah, — 
For  life  is  not  made  up  of  years, 
Nor  yet  of  famous  deeds  or  fears — 
This — this  is  not  to  live. 

To  daily,  hourly  dedicate 
Our  time  and  talents,  small  or  great, 
With  all  our  strength,  and  mind,  and  might, 
To  God,  to  wisdom,  and  to  right — 
This — this  it  is  to  live. 

"Live  much,  live  long,  live  instantly," 
This  should  our  contant  motto  be, 
And  ever  while  on  earth  we  dwell, 
Make  days  count  years  by  living  well;. 
This — this  it  is  to  live. 


28  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS 


"BURY  ME  IN  THE  GARDEN." 

[A  little  girl  had  been  crushed  by  the  wheel  of  a  loaded 
cart  having  passed  over  her,  and  the  only  words  she  uttered 
while  dying  were,  "  Mother  !  Mother!  don't  let  them  carrj 
me  away  down  to  the  dark,  cold  graveyard,  but  bury  m< 
in  the  garden — in  the  garden,  mother. "  And  when  her  lit- 
tie  sister  bsgged  her  to  speak  to  her,  she  only  replied, 
"  Bury  me  in  the  garden,  mother — bury  me  in  the  " — and 
a  quivering  came  over  her  limbs  —and  all  was  still.] 

**  Bury  ms  in  the  garden,  mother, " 
Where  the  purple  violets  bloom; 

Don't  take  me  to  the  cold  graveyard, 
Nor  to  the  lonely  tomb ! 

**  Bury  me  in  the  garden,  mother, " 
Where  my  sister's  feet  will  tread, 

Where  daisies  and  sweet  rosebuds  will 
Their  fragrance  round  me  shed. 

The  weeping  mother  was  bending  o'er 

The  little  dying  girl : 
Her  sister  to  her  side  had  crept 

And  clasped  a  tiny  curl. 

And  all,  in  speechless  agony 

Around  the  couch  drew  near, 
That  her  low,  last  dying  whisper 

They  might  be  sure  to  hear. 

*"  Bury  me  in  the  garden,  mother, — 

Bury  me  '* — she  faintly  said, 
And  ere  the  feeble  words  were  uttered, 

The  sufferer  was  dead ! 


BALLAST  POINT. 
(San  Diego,  Cal.) 

Away  on  the  ocean's  brink, 

Where  the  sea-gull  dips  his  wing, 

Where  the  awkward  penguins  drink, 
And  the  waves  their  dirges  sing. 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS  29 

Where  the  mountain  range  in  sight 

Its  snow-crowned  summit  lifts, 
Where  the  dashing  breakers  white 

The  wave  inrolling  drifts ; 

On  a  grassy  slope  we  spread 

Our  cloth  for  a  noon  repast— 
1  cannot  tell  on  what  we  fed 

The  viands  were  so  vast ! 

The  eye  was  nourished  from  all  sides — 

Above,  and  round  about, 
The  ear  drank  music  from  the  tides 

We  would  not  wish  shut  out. 

Here  you  can  ask  of  Nature,  why 

The  senses  swallow  up 
The  influence  of  sea  and  sky 

And  on  ambrosia  sup  ? 

Ask  the  zoophyte  why  he  makes 

Beneath  the  surf  his  bed  ? 
The  breezes,  why  their  oarless  strokes 

Disturb  the  ocean  dread? 

The  throbbing  sea  in  ebb  and  flow, 

Why  waste  its  giant  strength  ? 
Why  not  disport  the  waves  below 

The  eye's  observant  length  ? 

The  answer  comes,  in  billowy  thrusts 

From  out  the  wild  expanse 
In  watery  tones  and  weeping  gusts 

Of    loftiest    romance — 

Romance  so  real  and  so  bright. 

So  free  from  all  pretense. 
The  voices  we   interrogate 

Must  be  endowed  with  sense ! 


30  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS 


THE  MORNING   HOUR. 

Rousing  from  the  last  night's  rest 
Nature  always  smiles  the  best, 
As  if  but  now  had  opened  eyes 
And  discerned  the  brightening  skies ! 

The  clouds  just  tinted  with  the  morn, 
The  old  moon  looking  most  forlorn 
Because  the  sun,  just  peeping  up, 
Eclipses  now  her  brightest  hope. 

Wondrous  painter  I  with  what  skill 
Does  this  brilliant  orb  at  will, 
Touch  with  colors  bright  and  warm, 
And  every  inch  of  earth  transform ! 


MEMORY. 

O !  the  scenes  of  long  ago  1 

How  through  mem'ry's  haunts  they  flow, 

Bringing  back  in  vivid  dyes 

Scenes  resembling  paradise! 

Blessed  memory  that  can  thrill 
Thoughts  of  other  days  at  will, 
And  we  live  them  o'er  and  o'er 
Gladd'ning  us  as  heretofore ! 

A  mother's  love,  the  purest  stream 
On  which  the  sun  of  life  doth  gleam  ; 
The  mem'ry  of  her  loving  kiss, 
The  sweetest  of  all  earthly  bliss ! 


KIND  WORDS  AT  HOME. 

Like  honey  dropping  from  the  comb 

Fall  words  from  lips  we  love- 
Words  laden  with  affection's  tone, 
Ah,  these  the  soul  can  move. 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS  31 

They  sweeten  all  the  cares  of  life, 

Make  Eden  of  our  home; 
They  banish  sorrow,  prevent  strife, 

And  gem  the  fireside  dome. 

Gem  it  with  stars  emitting  light 

All  o'er  the  path  of  time, 
Dispersing  all  the  clouds  of  night, 

And  warming  earth's  cold  clime. 

How  cheerless  would  our  hearthstone  be, 

Did  not  the  friendly  voice 
Repeat  the  oft-told  tale,  that  we 

Are  still  affection's  choice. 


SAN  DIEGO. 

What  I  think  of  San  Diego? 

Asks  my  quondam  friend  of  Boston  ; 

I  will  tell  my  friend  of  Boston 

What  I  think  of  Diego. 

'Tis  the  finest  little  city 

You  will  find  between  the  oceans — 

Between  the  oceans,  bays  and  gulfs — 

Between  the  bays  and  gulfs  for  climate. 

Up  the  coast  of  the  Pacific — 

Down  the  coast  of  the  Atlantic, 

You  may  wander,  wander,  wander, 

And  across  the  seas  may  travel,  • 

Searching  for  a  better  climate — 

For  a  climate  more  salubrious, 

For  a  place  for  air  more  balmy, 

Where  the  views  are  more  extended, 

Or  the  scenery  more  sublime ; 

And  the  people — yes,  the  people, 

For  we  do  have  people  here — 

People  white  and  cultured  also. 

Whom  you'd  think  now  lived  in  Boston, 

Lived  in  Boston,  cultured  Boston, 

Though  they  never  may  have  seen 

The  Boston  famous  and  renowned. 


32  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS 


"ANGELS  UNAWARES/' 

Said  a  wealthy  man  beyond  the  seas, 
"  I  'have  enough  to  take  my  ease ; " 
This  was  his  own  mistaken  thought, 
The  sequel  shows  how  poor  his  lot. 

A  garden  with  exotics  rare 
Was  tended  with  the  greatest  care, 
With  here  and  there  a  dainty  seat 
Within  that  charming,  cool  retreat. 

But  best  of  all,  a  fountain  played 
Into  a  basin,  all  inlaid 
With  gems  that  sparkled  in  the  spray, 
Like  diamonds  on  a  roundelay. 

A  fairy  grot  beside  the  road 
Not  far  from  this  rich  man's  abode, 
Wherein  was  water,  pure  and  sweet, 
In  view  of  all  who  passed  that  street. 

None  but  the  proud,  the  rich,  the  great, 
Those  who  possessed  a  large  estate, 
I   I          Who  needed  not  the  crystal  drink 

Ever  approached  the  fountain's  brink. 

A  woman  who  a  black  hood  wore, 
With  tattered  garments,  and  footsore, 
Came  slowlv  up  the  dusty  road, 
And  paused  just  where  the  owner  stood. 

She  only  asked  to  sit  awhile 

In  grateful  shade  upon  the  stile 

And  quench  her  thirst  with  cooling  drink 

That  trickled  down  the  basin's  brink. 

•"This  is  not  a  public  fountain, 
There  is  water  near  that  mountain 
Where  such  as  you  do  congregate, 
And  readily  your  thirst  can  sate  I " 

"  The  way  is  long,  my  feet  are  sore, 
You  see  my  garb,  that  I  am  poor ; 
I  am  so  tired  and  thirsty  too — 
Please  let  me  take  a  sip  or  two.  " 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS  33 

"  Drive  her  away  !  "  the  rich  man  said  ; 
Just  then  the  begger  turned  her  head  ; 
Her  black  hood  dropped,  revealing  hair 
All  gfoMen.  and  exceeding  fair. 


Her  rags  unseemly  fell  away, 
And  shimmering  robes  as  brignt  as  day 
About  her  fell,  as  angels  wear, 
Which  caused  the  man  to  wildly  stare. 

He  trembled  fearfully,  and  cried  : 
"  A  drink  of  water  I  denied 
An  angel  who  from  heaven  came 
And  asked  for  drink  in  beggar's  name  ! 

When  a  rough  beggar  comes  again 
He  shall  with  my  consent  remain, 
For  such  a  burning  thirst  I  have, 
Continually  this  drink  I  crave.  " 

Now  he  is  constantly  athirst, 
And  feels  himself  doubly  accursed 
Because  an  angel  he  refused, 
And  otherwise  unkindly  used  ! 

But  once  again  the  woman  came, 
While  thus  lamenting  in  his  shame, 
And  asked  again  that  she  might  quench 
Her  thirst,  while  sitting  on  that  bench. 

He  gladly  gave  the  cup  to  her, 
And  begged  that  she  would  never  stir 
From  off  the  grounds  till  quite  refreshed, 
And  all  her  grievances  redressed. 

She  took  the  cup  filled  to  the  brim 
And  gravely  handed  it  to  him  ; 
He  drank  it,  not  at  all  afraid  ; 
At  once  his  cruel  thirst  was  stayed  ! 

Now  evermore  the  beggars  find 
A  man  who  is  both  rich  and  kind  ; 
The  poor  are  welcomed  to  his  stand, 
More  so  than  are  the  rich  and  grand  ! 


34  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS 


YAVEH. 

Yaveh,  Yaveh,  Yaveh,  Yaveh! 
There  is  magic  in  the  name ! 
Say  it  over,  over,  over, 
Say  it  till  you  know  tne  same  !j| 

Say  it  over  till  you  feel  it 
Through  your  system  tingle, 
Till  your  conduct  shall  reveal  it — 
And  in  your  soul  shall  mingle. 

Mingle  in  your  spirit's  center, 
And  your  being  fully  feels  it 
Where  no  wordly  thoughts  can  enter, 
Nor  no  hiding  place  conceals  it. 

Then  how  lifted  up  from  earth  bands 
Will  the  soul  serenely  be  ; 
And  a  sense  of  sordiJ  dearth  lands 
From  you  will  forever  flee  ! 

Yaveh,  Yaveh,  Yaveh,  Yaveh  ! 
There  is  magic  in  the  name  ! 
Say  it  over,  over,  over, 
Say  it  till  you  know  the  same  ? 


LIBERTY. 

God  is  life,  love  and  liberty, 
This  constitutes  the  trinity; 
If  you  have  life  and  love,  but  not 
The  liberty  of  your  best  thought, 
You  understand  but  partially 
The  meaning  of  divinity. 

None  are  compelled  or  forced  to  eat 

The  hidden  manna  to  complete 

The  earthly  preparation  due, 

Nor  the  road  we  must  pursue 

To  reach  the  strait  and  narrow  gate 

Through  which  we  pass  to  that  blest  state. 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS  35 


GOD  IS  WITHIN, 

Believe  not  your  God  is  high  above  the  stars ! 
For  "  my  kingdom  is  within  you, "  Christ  declares ; 
Where  but  in  His  kingdom  would  the  king  reside  ? 
This  for  themselves  His  true  subjects  can  decide. 

Through  every  living  atom  God  is  expressed, 
Through  everything  uplifted  God  is  addressed, 
Every  flower  that  opes  its  petals  gives  God  thanks, 
As  well  as  every  stream  that  flows  within  its  banks. 

The  stars  in  the  heavens,  the  sands  on  the  shore, 
As  also  the  snow  flakes  that  fall  by  your  door — 
The  treetops  that  tremble  in  the  evening  breeze, 
All  tell  of  His  goodness  with  infinite  ease. 

Why  should  man  praise  some  far  off  being,  instead 
Of  accepting  the  one  by  whose  hand  he  is  led  ? 
W  hy  can  he  not  discover  the  God  within, 
Then  strive  to  express  Him,  and  happiness  win  ? 


THE  WHEAT  AND  TARES. 

A  sower  went  forth  to  his  mellowed  ground, 
And  plentifully  strewed  good  seed  around ; 
Then  he  hied  him  home,  and  his  inner  breast 
Told  of  reward  in  abundant  harvest 

"  But  while  men  slept,"  an  enemy  came, 
And  carefully  mingled  tares  with  the  grain ; 
And  they  side  by  side,  the  tares  and  the  wheat, 
Ripened  together — with   fullness  replete. 

"In  the  time  of  harvest"  the  reapers  will  bind 
The  tares  in  bundles,  and  they  shall  be  burned ; 
But  safe  in  the  barn  the  wheat  may  find  store — 
The  tares  shall  flourish  with  the  grain  no  more. 

Then  sinners  beware,  e'en  though  for  awhile 
Securely  you  bask  in  prosperity's  smile. 
Sooner  or  later  the  harvest  will  come, 
And  you  will  lament  your  sorrowful  doom. 


36  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS 


OMNIPOTENT  LOVE. 

[The  following  poem,  which  was  contributed  to  a  New 
England  paper,  reached  the  author,  who  was  not  aware 
that  it  had  been  published,  through  her  son,  Charles  K, 
Smith,  Jr.,  of  j^fonmouth,  Illinois,  who,  seeing  his  mother's 
name  attached  to  it,  bought  a  copy  from  a  blind  man 
who  was  selling  it  on  the  streets  of  that  town  as  a  means 
of  obtaining  a  livelihood.  J 

Love,  like  the  dauntless  boy  he  is, 
Entered  a  neighbor's  home  one  dayr 

And  there  he  found,  to  his  surprise — 
To  his  surprise  and  deep  dismay — 

Contentions,  bickerings  and  wrath. 

"  I've  staid  away  from  here  too  long, 
I  am  to  blame  for  this, "  Love  saith. 

"  I  will  remain  and  right  the  wrong. 

I'll  pour  the  wine  of  gladness  in 

Each  inmate's  bitter  cup, 
And  place  it  right  beside  him  where 

He  is  always  wont  to  sup. 

I'll  pour  the  oil  of  peace  upon 

The  troubled  water's  flow ; 
I  will  not  leave  till  I  have  done 

The  work  I  came  to  do. 
Til  turn  the  channel  of  their  words 

Into  another  course ; 
I'll  stay  until  the  sunshine  comes 

Into  each  heart  perforce.  ** 

Love  can  untie  the  cruel  knots 

In  threads  of  all  discourse  ; 
Love  can  divert  the  angry  thoughts 

Without  the  aid  of  force. 

Ah,  wondrous  is  the  power  of  love ! 

Why  is  it  so  neglected  ? 
It  lifts  a  person  high  above 

The  ills  of  life  detected. 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS  37 

It  smooths  the  rugged  paths  of  life, 

It  soothes  the  troubled  breast, 
St  gives  one  hope  amid  earth's  strife 

Of  home  among  the  blest. 


T1S  EASY  TO  IMAGINE. 

"Tis  easy  to  imagine 

A  place  where  we  might  dwell 
In  harmony  together 

In  some  secluded  dell, 

Or  rather  on  a  mountain, 

Or  in  some  forest  grand, 
And  drink  at  love's  pure  fountain 

A  useful,  happy  band. 

For  all  the  world  we'd  labor 

Not  for  ourselves  alone, 
Each  one  should  be  our  neighbor, 

Our  brother  every  one ! 

We  never  should  discriminate 
Between  our  friends  and  foes 

For  kindness  would  eliminate 
All  bitterness  and  woesJ 

"We'd  send  thoughts  big  and  helpful 
To  all  who  could  receive. 

And,  as  far  as  possible 
All  maladies  relieve. 

And  by  our  simple  living 
vV  e  find  the  time  our  own 

For  getting  or  for  giving, 
And  no  lost  time  bemoan. 

How  beautiful  in  thinking 

What  this  whole  world  might  be. 
Were  people  only  wishing 

Each  other's  good  to  see! 


38  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS 


DREAM    LIFE. 

I  followed  my  dream  in  its  airy  flight, 

I  swung  on  a  cloud,  so  fluffy  and  white, 

I  leaned  on  the  moon — she  was  full  and  bright,— 

Then  counted  the  stars  as  they  shone  by  night. 

I  sought  for  the  planets,  whose  people  are 

Wiser  and  better  than  we  by  far ! 

Then  hurried  through  space  from  st^r  to  star 

With  the  speed  of  the  breeze  on  my  wind-made  car. 

I  searched  the  depths  and  I  mounted  the  heights, 

I  paused  on  the  brink  of  the  northern  lights! 

I  planted  our  flag  high  on  the  north  pole 

So  voyagers  may  know  when  they  reach  that  goal  I 


JOYOUS  MEMORIES. 

Joyous  memories  their  welcome  bring 
They  fly  to  us  on  unseen  wing, 
Today  will  make  them  for  tomorrow 
Some  of  pleasure,  some  of  sorrow. 

Tomorrow's  thoughts  are  of  today, 
For  weal  or  woe  they  long  will  stay, 
As  thoughts  endowed  are  with  life 
Pure  should  they  be  and  free  from  strife. 


ENCOURAGEMENT. 

Good  often  comes  of  seeming  ill, 
In  fact,  all  ills  are  seeming, 

"  Whatever  is,  is  right, "  is  still 
Most  true,  and  hope  redeeming. 

Things  that  our  senses  deem  as  bad 
May  much  of  good  enfold, 

So  if  we  unkind  thoughts  discard 
And  only  just  ones  hold, 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS  39 

We  may  assist  the  world  of  thought 

In  its  best  endeavor. 
To  abrogate  or  bring  to  naught 

All  savorings  of  error ! 

And  if  we  can't  reform  the  world 

We  may  improve  just  one, 
And  by  examples  manifold 

Will  be  reform  begun  ! 


A  GOLDEN  KEY. 

There  is  a  key,  a  golden  key, 
That  will  unlock  treasures  iare, 

But  he  who  handles  it  must  see 
It  used  both  wisely  and  with  care  ; 

Let  not  the  weak  or  careless  dare 
Presume  to  use  this  mystic  key, 

Whatever  his  thoughts  and  wishes  are 
To  him  returned  will  always  be. 

Unless  the  thoughts  are  pure  and  true 
What  is  received  will  cause  despair ; 

If  what  is  right  he  won't  pursue 

For  unlocked  woes  he  must  prepare. 


A  QUERY. 

There  is  so  much  we  do  not  know 
In  this  enlightened  age  of  ours, 

How  dare  we  say,  f  it  is  not  so,1 
Unless  we  have  supernal  powers  ? 

We  are  so  sure  that  we  are  right, 
That  every  other  way  is  wrong, 

We  close  our  eyes,  shut  out  the  light, 
And  thus  our  ignorance  prolong. 

Look  out  upon  God's  works  and  see 
How  Nature  follows  Nature's  laws, 

And  naught  is  there  but  harmony, 
And  no  result  without  a  cause ! 


40  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS 


SUNSHINE,  CLOUD  AND  STORM. 

I  love  bright  days  of  sunshine 
When  gladnes  Ms  the  earth. 

And  the  warble  of  the  bird  lings 
Makes  air  vocal  with  mirth. 

For  they  mind  me  of  that  sun 
With  healing  in  his  beams. 

Wherein  warm  and  genial  climes 
His  brightness  always  gleams. 

I  love  dull  days  of  cloud-sky, 

All  quiet,  like  the  night, 
When  no  rain-drop  comes  pattering 

On  the  casement  of  light 

For  they  point  me  that  time 
When  the  weary  shall  rest, 

When  the  harvester  returned 
Shall  sit  down  with  the  blest 

And  I  love  a  rainy  day, 

When  heavy  drops  come  down, 
As  if  the  angry  storm-king 

Meant  earth  to  feel  his  frown. 

For  it  speaks  of  Him  who  h  oldeth 
In  the  hollow  of  his  hand, 

The  habitants  and  elements 
Of  air,  and  sea,  and  land. 


HAPPINESS. 

Age  is  tne  bme  for  happiness 
Wlien  cares  are  growing  less  and  less 
And  children  more  mature  are  grown 
And  take  your  burdens  as  their  own. 

The  afternoon  of  life  has  come, 
And  we  are  drawing  nearer  home ; 
Already  fed  die  twilight  hour 
Has  a  serene  and  soothing  power. 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS  41 

Heaven  you  now  know  is  within. 
And  here  the  joys  of  heaven  begin ; 
You  realize  eternal  bliss 
Must  be  something  much  like  this! 

And  as  the  days  go  gliding  by 

We  bless  the  power  that  rules  on  high. 

The  same  on  earth  as  in  the  sky. 

That  all  is  good  you  feel  assured, 
Because  true  wisdom  has  secured 
To  all  the  dwellers  here  on  earth 
To  each  according  to  his  worth. 


TO  THE  TRUTH. 

For  shame,  to  walk  about  so  nude, 

As  if  you  did  not  care 
If  people  shunned  you  as  they  would 
The  bare  legs  of  a  chair! 

Sometimes  at  wicked  folk  you  stare, 
As  if  you  knew  them  well, 

And  of  their  doings  was  aware 
And  could  a  story  tell. 

Anon,  you  go  around  so  sly, 

The  people  watching  you 
Have  no  idea  you  are  nigh. 

Or  seeing  what  they  do. 

So  they  go  on  in  wickedness, 
Thinking  themselves  alone, 

Until  the  Truth  makes  them  confess, 
And  all  they've  done  make  known. 

Aug.  4,  1908. 


42  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS 


SONNET. 

"*  Who  could  brook 

That  even  those  who  love  us  best  should  know 
The  secret  springs  of  many  an  hour  of  woe  ?  ** 

RESPONSE. 

Twere  better  "  those  who  love  us  best  should  know 

The  secret  springs  of  many  an  hour  of  woe." 

The  kindly  smile,  the  cheering  word  of  hope, 

From  those  whose  every  word  we  know  to  be 

A  well-spring  of  affection  gushing  up 

From  love's  own  fountain,  pure  and  free, 

Is  balm  unto  the  bruised  and  broken  spirit, 

Which  should  our  fervent  gratitude  call  forth 

To  Him  from  whom  we  every  good  inherit 

With  grace  imbued,  what  privilege  to  have 

One  friend  whose  tone,  whose  sympathizing  look 

Can  'suage  the  inward  grief  that  frets  and  smarts 

And  weighs  the  spirit  down  J     Ah,  who  could  brook 

That  best  loved  friends  should  be  debarred  our  hearts. 


MISMATED. 

The  clematis  married  a  beech  tree  tali, 
Her  friends  were  surprised,  as  she  was  so  small ; 
While  courting   his  branches   bent  gracefully  to  her 
And  that  is  the  way  he  managed  to  woo  her. 

But  soon  he  desired  her  to  stand  quite  alone, 
Which  she  could  not  do,  he  had  very  well  known  ; 
"I  wish  I  had  married  a  sunflower, *"  he  said, 
"  Or  some  other  one  -who  could  hold  up  her  head.  ~ 

Then  dae  clematis  grieved  as  a  woman  would 
When  the  fatal  mistake  she  now  understood, 
And  she  drooped  still  more  than  nature  demands, 
While  die  beech  tree  enforced  his  stern  commands. 

So  they  drifted  apart,  as  diversities  will ; 

Though  fee  did  not  love  her,  the  vine  loved  him  still, 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS  43 

And  sent  up  her  tendrils  as  high  as  she  could 
To  the  wonder  of  plants  that  grew  in  the  wood. 

Prouder  and  prouder  the  tree  daily  grew, 
Higher  and  higher  his  foliage  he  threw, 
Not  a  twig  sent  he  forth  that  the  vine  could  reach; 
On  the  ground  it  trailed  at  the  base  of  the  beech. 


ROSE  HARTWICK  THORPE, 

[The  following  acrostic  was  addressed  to  the  distiiT 
guished  author,  Mrs.  Thorpe,  on  her  birthday  anniversary, 
December  5,  1893,  at  her  home,  Pacific  B^ach,  near  San 
Diego,  Cal.] 

Rose  is  called  the  queen  of  flowers. 
One  of  fragrance  and  of  powers; 
So  it  is  a  lovely  name. 
Even  now  allied  to  fame  1 

How  delightful  it  must  be 
Always  everywhere  to  see 
Rarest  roses  in  degree 
Thereon  twining  tenderly. 
We  well  know  the  understood 
Is  the  gift  of  all  that's  good, 
Doming  in  as  sunlight  does, 
Keeping  with  and  warming  us. 

Thus  the  poet  well  may  find 
Happiness  within  the  mind, 
Only  heeding  harmony, 
Rarest  of  the  things  that  be. 
Purity  and  love  divine, 
Each  with  poesy  combine. 

Pacific  Beach.  Cal.,  Dec.  7.  1893.— My  dear  Mrs.  Smith: 
Your  kindly  thoughts,  clothed  in  the  language  of  my  heart 
(rhyme),  is  as  precious  to  me  as  the  flowers  of  which  you 
wrote.  I  received  a  number  of  such  loving  testimonials 
after  the  reception  and  shall  place  them  all  with  my  treas- 
ures to  be  carefully  preserved  for  the  future,  and  for  those 
•who  will  live  when  we  have  passed  away. 

Lovingly  Yours,     Rose  Hartwick  Thorpe. 


44  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS 


SAN  DIEGO  IN  NOVEMBER. 

We've  reached  the  embers  of  the  year, 
The  summer  months  gone  by.. 

And  yet  cold  weather  is  not  here — 
The  days  much  like  July ! 

Flowers  are  blooming  all  around, 
The  humming  bird  flits  by, 

There  is  no  frost  upon  the  ground, 
No  rain  clouds  shade  the  sky. 

And  filled  with  thankfulness  and  hope 
Are  those  who  come  to  stay, 

Who  live  on  the  Pacific  slope, 
Near  San  Diego  Bay ! 

November,    1903. 


OUR   ELDER   BROTHER. 

The  common  people  gladly  heard 

The  man  of  Nazareth, 
They  listened  to  His  every  word — 

Listened  with  bated  breath. 

He  spake  as  never  man  did  speak, 
As  all  who  heard  him  know, 

He  told  them  clearly  how  to  seek 
And  find  redemption's  glow. 

Yet  when  He  came  unto  his  own. 
His  own  received  Him  not, 

But  to  as  many  as  was  shown 
To  have  received  His  thought — 

To  them  He  gave  especial  power 

As  being  sons  of  God, 
And,  at  His  own  appointed  hour* 

To  gain  their  just  reward. 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS  45 

Then  pxatiently  all  can  await 

Decisions  of  the  Just, 
When  opened  is  the  book  of  Fate, 
And  joyously  they  trust. 

Will  not  the  Judge  of  all  the  earth 

Do  always  what  is  right- 
Judging  according  to  our  worth, 

No  worthy  one  to  slight? 


HAVE  YOU  READ  NATURE'S  BOOK? 

Have  you  read  Nature's  bible  yet — 

The  scripture  of  the  violet  ? 

And  turned  the  leaves  of  Sharon's  rose, 

Learned    how   and    why   the    green   grass  grows  ? 

Did  you  one  day  with  Jesus  walk 
And  hear  the  babbling  waters  talk  ? 
Or  did  you  note  the  branching  trees 
Nodding  gracefully  in  the  bresze? 

Did  you  learn  what  they  were  saying 
In  the  wind  while  limbs  were  swaying. 
And  the  birds  on  the  higher  boughs 
Carolling  in  their  leafy  house  ? 

O,  wondrous  are  Dame  Nature's  ways, 
And  wondrous  beauties  she  displays, 
Hidden  away  in  leafy  sprays 
As  if  eluding  human  gaze ! 


VEIL  OF  ISIS. 

The  veil  of  the  Temple  was  rent 
When  Jesus  Christ  was  crucified, 

And  ever  since  that  grave  event 

The  entrance  has  been  opened  wide. 

And  all  who  have  Shekinah  seen 
Will  total  darkness  feel  no  more, 

Light  will  across  their  pathway  gleam, 
Until  they  reach  the  shining  shore. 


46  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS 

Christ  was  the  light  erst  symbolized  ; 

He  came  to  earth  that  all  might  see ; 
The  truth  by  Him  was  not  disguised, 

He  raised  the  veil  of  mystery  1 

He  was  the  true  Shekinah  bright. 

Though  many  failed  to  understand  ; 
Their  eyes  were  holden  from  the  light — 

They  marvelled  at  his  wise  command. 

So  down  the  ages  some  have  groped, 
Believing  not  the  veil  was  rent ; 

Still  gazing  at  the  Temple  hoped 
Shekinah  would  yet  give  content, 

And  shine  again  as  sacred  song 
Asserts  that  it  was  wont  to  do 

For  those  who  watched  and  waited  long 
The  first  faint  glimpse  of  light  to  woo  I 

But  disappointment  meets  them  all — 

Christ  was  the  Way,  the  Truth,  the  Life, 

And  when  they  fail  on  Him  to  call 
They  meet  embarassment  and  strife  I 

To  them  the  veil  is  always  closed ; 

No  hand  invisible  is  raised  — 
Naught  to  thick  darkness  interposed, 

Thus  leaving  gazers  sore  amazed ! 


PERFECTION. 

If  you  would  perfection  see, 
Purest  thoughts  must  cherished  be, 
Neither  jealousy  nor  hate 
Must  be  found  in  your  estate. 


Yes,  the  wrong  doer  himself  wrongs 
More  than  he  can  another  one, 

And  his  unhappiness  prolongs 

By  every  wrong  that  he  has  done  ! 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS  47 


LOVE. 

If  you  love  me  tell  me  so  ; 

It  is  what  I  like  to  know 

Like  the  sunshine,  love  is  warm, 

And  it  never  doeth  harm. 

Love  is  what  the  world  now  needs ; 
It  would  stimulate  good  deeds, 
And  it  would  eradicate 
All  the  vestiges  of  hate. 

Wrong  we  never  those  we  love  ; 
Rather  do  we  from  above 
Call  the  richest  blessings  on 
Every  weak  or  erring  one. 

Then  let  loving  thoughts  be  sent 
Till  they  fill  the  firmament ; 
Would  not  then  *'  life's  troubled  sea 
Always  calm  and  peaceful  be? 


BIRTH. 

When  earth  was  born  one  lovely  morn, 

The  stars  together  sang; 
They  sang  with  glee,  in  jubilee  — 

The  joyous  anthems  rang! 

Where,  then,  was  I,  when  first  that  cry, 

n  Ye  must  be  born  again," 
Came  like  a  knell  or  angry  swell, 

Which  soundeth  forth  amain? 

Each  time  new  thought  the  brain  has  caught 

We  thus  are  born  again; 
And  every  day  Time  whiles  away 

New  births  do  then  obtain. 

Some  once  are  born,  and  all  forlorn, 

Go  plodding  on  their  way; 
They  seek  no  truth  from  early  youth, — 

Not  born  again  are  they ! 


48  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS 

LETTERS  FROM  FRIENDS. 
[June.  1 90S.} 

There  comes  with  them  a  wealth  of  ore, 
Not  diamond  dust  or  gold  in  store. 
But  something  worth  much   more  by  far 
Than  either  gold  or  diamonds  are. 

The  love  that  comes  between  the  lines, 
That  may  be  read  as  heart  inclines, 
Revealing  such  a  soulful  song 
As  does  our  happiness  prolong. 

Who  has  not  been  depressed  and  lone 
And  fek  the  need  of  friendly  tone, 
When  lo  1  the  postman  brings  a  note 
Which  sends  the  loneliness  afloat, 

And  we  our  cheerfulness  regain, 
Feeling  no  reason  to  complain, 
Our  daily  duties  then  resume  ; 
Dispelled  at  once  is  all  our  gloom. 

NEW  ENGLAND  SPRING. 

No  such  surprises  come  to  us 
In  this  more  southern  clime, 

Because  our  winter,  spring  and  fall 
Seem  all  like  summer  time. 

We  see  no  verdure  green  the  -while 
Snow  lies  in  patches  white, 

Nor  do  we  see  just  peeping  up, 
The  early  springs  delight 

We  never  search  beneath  the  snow 
For  checker  berries  red, 

Nor  do  we  watch  when  soon  it  melts, 
For  the  arbutus  bed. 

We  never  walk  upon  the  crust 
Of  frozen  snow  in  March, 

Nor  gaze  upon  the  icy  branch 
Across  the  crystal  arch. 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS  49 

We  never  put  a  metal  cup 

Up  to  a  thirsty  lip 
And  find  it  closely  to  it  glued 

Before  we  take  a  sip  ! 

Nature  sports  in  various  ways 

With  her  fantastic  toys, 
Adding  superbly  to  the  wealth 

Of  early  earthly  joys. 


'THE  WORLD  WITHOUT  A  SABBATH." 

[Suggested  on  reading  these  words   as  the   subject  of  a 
prize  essay  at  a  college  exhibition,  December  17,  1873.] 

The  world  "without  a  Sabbath  would 

A  weariness  assume, 
Assuaged  by  no  recruiting  rest, 

Enriched  by  no  perfume. 

The  flowers  of  life  would  withered  lie 

Across  the  trodden  way, 
And  thorns  spring  up  to  choke  the  path 

That  finds  no  Sabbath  day. 

Ah,  yes  !  the  busy,  active  world 

Without  a  day  of  rest, 
Would  be  like  ever-shining  sun 

Without  the  shadow's  crest. 

Twould  be  like  rough  machinery, 

Without  the  rubric  oil 
To  keep  it  smoothly  at  its  work, 

Relieving  human  toil. 

Twould  be  like  delving  in  the  rocks, 

With  only  soil  of  sand ; 
An  arid,  parched  and  desert  waste, 

With  naught  whereon  to  stand. 

Bless  God  .  we  have  a  Sabbath  day, 

A  holy  day  of  rest, 
In  which  to  garner  strength  and  grace 

To  dwell  among  the  blest. 


50  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS 


-SWEET  SIXTEEN/* 

[The  following  poem  was  addressed  to  Miss  Rosa  B. 
Smith  (now  Mrs.  V.  Ray  Bennett),  granddaughter  of  the 
author,  and  was  read  at  a  party  given  in  celebration  of  her 
sixteenth  birthday  at  her  home  in  San  Diego,  California, 
April  7,  1890.] 

Now  sweet  sixteen,  as  may  be  seen, 

Becomes  Miss  Rosa  well, 
Whose  winning  grace  and  smiling  face 

Unitedly  compel 
The  love  of  those  who  now  compose 

The  circle  of  her  friends. 

Shf-  says  "  Look  here,  my  grandma  dear, 

I  want  a  gift  from  you  ; 
Not  something  bought  that  comes  to  naught 

But  something  nice  and  true, 
Which  you  can  -write  for  me  tonight 

And  which  can  be  preserved  by  me 
As  long  as  life  extends.  " 

What  can  I  say  which  rightly  may 

Some  happiness  confer, 
While  life  is  young  and  wishes  sprung 

So  lavishly  on  her  ? 
The  best  of  all  that  I  recall 

Is  love  to  God  and  man. 

Thus  also  she,  like  busy  bee, 

Has  learned  this  wiser  plan, 
And  His  strong  arm  will  keep  from  harm 

All  who  will  trust  in  Him. 
With  sweet  content  and  confident 

Of  His  abiding  care, 

Will  we  throw  trouble,  like  a  bubble, 

Out  into  the  breezy  air. 
Calmly  await  whatever  fate 

He  Jtias  for  us  in  store, 
He'll  fill  our  cup  of  blessings  up, 

Hell  fill  it  to  the  brim. 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS  51 

So  sweet  sixteen,  as  may  be  seen 

Becomes  dear  Rosa  well, 
Whose  smiling  face  and  winning  grace 

Unitedly  compel 
The  love  of  those  who  now  compose 

The  circle  of  her  friends. 


MY  NINETIETH  BIRTHDAY. 
(March  13,  1907.) 

God  every  day  is  good  to  me, 
Like  rain  upon  a  thirsty  lea ; 
I  will  drink  in  the  nutriment, 
The  wine  that  is  to  me  thus  sent. 

'Twill  fill  my  brain;  'twill  fill  my  soul 
Until  I  feel  completely  whole, 
And  every  want  will  be  supplied, 
And  not  a  needful  thing  denied. 

I  shall  be  full  of  hope  and  love — 
Shall  seek  for  wisdom  from  above, 
Nor  will  a  groveling  thought  oppress. 
His  presence  with  me  always  bless. 


NO  MIRACLES. 

For  all  effects  there  is  a  cause, 

God  does  not  break  his  own  wise  laws; 

What  seems  to  be  miraculous 

Is  only  ignorance  in  us. 

Ignorance  of  God^s  high  power 
Which  shadows  forth  in  every  flower, 
Wisdom  in  every  plant  that  grows, — 
The  secret  of  its  growth  who  knows? 

We  cannot  measure  wisdom's  ways 
By  our  own  petty,  childish  days ; 
E'en  when  we  climb  high   on  Life's  hills 
We  Lave  to  say  "just  as  God  wills J" 


52  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS 


SERENADE, 

Fairy  Sleep  had  locked  my  eyelids 
And  the  mystic  key  had  hidden 

Telling  me  1  must  not  waken, 
'Till  the  rosy  morn  had  bidden. 

Twas  the  witching  hour  of  midnight 

When  the  moonbeams  brigkt  were  playing 

Hide  and  seek  with  trembling  treetops, 
And  the  wind  their  branches  swaying. 

That  the  music  of  some  country- 
Earth  or  heaven  I  could  not  tell — 

Came  into  my  chamber  window, 
With  a  grand  and  warlike  swell. 

Far  too  loud  for  fairy  minstrels 
Were  the  strains  that  met  my  ear ; 

Surely,  could  I  be  mistaken — 
I  was  in  the  angel  sphere  ? 

"  Sister !     Sister  !     You  are  dreaming — 

This  is  no  celestial  land ! 
If  you  could  but  lift  your  eyelids 

You  would  see  the  Monmouth  band  I" 


SAN  FRANCISCO. 
(Oct.  28,^  1875.) 

Here  we  are  on  Frisco's  strand, 

The  world- wide,  far-famed  golden  land, 

About  which  as  a  fairy  dream 

Did  stories  of  it  always  seem. 

But  like  the  wise  man's  guest  of  old, 
We  found  the  half  had  not  been  told  ; 
The  truth  is  wonderful  to  tell. 
And  savors  of  some  wizard  dell — 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS  53 

Or  else  Aladdin's  wondrous  lamp 
Which  changed  all  nature,  giving  stamp 
Of  golden  hue  to  colors  brown — 
Above  our  reach,  brought  blessings  down- 

But  this  is  real,   it's  not  a  myth ; 

We  are  tied,  not  by  a  withered  withe, 

But  tied  with  June's  October  sun, 

And  fruits  and  flowers,  May's  garden  won. 

Go  to  the  mint  and  see  the  gold ; 
To  Woodward's  Garden  and  be  told. 
Of  rare  and  costly  fruits  and  flowers 
From  foreign  lands,  fairer  than  ours  ? 

Oh,  no  !  no  fairer  clime  exists, 

Except  in  fancy's  nlmy  mist, 

Than  here  on  fair  Pacific's  slope, 

The  rich  man's  home,  the  poor  man's  hope. 


"ALL  IS  GOOD?" 

I've  tried  to  think  that  all  is  good — 
How  can  it  thus  be  understood 
When  to  each  other  men  are  rude 
And  manifest  ingratitude? 

How  can  we  **  all  is  good  **  decide 
When  daily  papers  columns  wide 
Are  filled  with  theft  and  suicide 
And  evil  deeds  are  multiplied  ? 

If  God  says  '"evil  I  create," 
And  so  the  Bible  does  relate, 
As  well  as  love  there's  also  hate, 
Then  it  admits  of  no  debate ! 

Of  no  debate  by  those  who  claim 
To  follow  Scripture  as  their  aim  ; 
The  Bible  and  God's  Word  ^the  same- 
How  can  they  "  all  is  good  "  proclaim  2 


54  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS 


GREETINGS. 

[To    Mrs.  C.  K.  Smith,   on   her  birthday,  by   Dr.  C  C. 
Parry,*   March  13,  1883.] 

Youth  is  the  time  of  buds  and  flowers 
Nurtured  by  sunshine  and  by  showers, 
Age  with  its  golden  tinted  leaves, 
Garners  ripe  fruit  within  its  sheaves. 

All  that  is  rich  and  sweet  remains 
Through  summer's  heat  and  autumn's  rains* 
And  holds  within  its  close  embrace, 
Germs  of  the  new-born  living  race. 

May  this  and  future  birthdays  prove 
Rich  with  such  fruits  of  hope  and  love, 
And  all,  harmoniously  combine 
To  crown  with  joy  this  life  of  thine ! 

RESPONSE    BY    MRS.   SMITH. 

Thanks,  my  friend,  for  this  bright  lay, 
Written  upon  my  natal  day  ; 
'  Tis  fresh  and  sweet  as  if  for  youth, 
And  not  for  age  as  'tis  in  truth. 

And  why  not  hope  for  future  hours, 
As  well  as  early  youthful  powers  ? 
'Tis  Erood  to  have  increase  of  years, 
When  not  accompanied  with  fears. 

With  fears  of  what  there  may  await 
The  passage  through  death's  open  gate, 
And  can  we  not  almost  discern, 
Or  rather,  previously  learn 

By  noting,  what  today  has  wrought, 
Perceive  with  what  the   morrow's   fraught. 


*  Dr.  Parry  was  born  in  England.  He  was  a  distin- 
guished botanist.  He  died  at  his  home,  Davenport,  Iowa, 
February  20,  1890,  aged  66  years.  He  had  gathered 
flowers  in  every  one  of  the  United  States. 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS  55 

So  would  I  thus  return  to  thee 
Good  wishes  now  expressed  for  me, 
And  may  your  hundredth  birthday  be 
Pleasant  as  is  this  day  to  me ! 


LAND-LOCKED  BAY. 

Placidly  the  waters  lay 
In  the  San  Diego  bay ; 
Though  old  ocean  madly  wars, 
Lashing  his  sides  upon  its  shores, 
Nothing  ruffles  thy  calm  breast; 
Like  a  sleeping  babe  at  rest, 
Silently  thy  waters  lay 
In  the  quiet,  land-locked  bay. 

O,  the  cooling  breeze  that  comes 
O'er  thy  bosom  to  our  homes, 
Mellowed  by  the  distance  lent 
With  thine  own  so  graceful  bent. 
Yes,  I  know  old  ocean  would 
Step  across  thee  if  he  could, 
And  most  likely  wash  away 
Thy  best  features,  land-locked  bay. 

But  the  friendly  band  of  earth 
Which  in  old  time  gave  thee  birth 
Now  extends  his  solid  arm 
Keeping  thee  from  ocean's  harm. 
Let  him  rock  and  foam  at  will, 
Thou  art  safely  guarded  still, 
And  thy  pleasant  surface  may 
Be  serene,  thou  land-locked  bay ! 

Though  the  sun  his  rays  pour  down 

On  the  parched  and  thirsty  ground, 

Hotly  claiming  for  his  own 

All  the  vegetation  grown, 

Thou  dost  send  thy  moistened  breath, 

Rescuing  from  certain  death 

All  the  herbage  that  shall  lay 

Near  thy  borders,  land-locked  bay ! 


56  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS 


RELEASED. 

[The  transition  of  Mr.  Charles  Kendall  Smith,  husband 
of  the  writer,  occurred  on  September  12,  1900,  soon  after 
the  celebration  of  their  65th  wedding  anniversary,  which 
he  enjoyed.  He  would  have  been  90  years  old  on  the 
21st  of  the  next  December.  He  closed  his  eyes  peacefully 
and  the  watchers  thought  he  was  asleep,  but  he  had  passed 
to  the  beyond,  and  this  poem  was  written  concerning  his 
release,  by  his  devoted  wife.  ] 

At  early  morn  the  angels  came 

And  took  one  from  his  house  of  clay ; 

So  lovingly  they  made  their  claim, 
We  could  not  feel  to  say  them  nay. 

"Just  what  is  best  for  him,  "  we  cried, 

Regardless  of  the  aching  hearts, 
And  thus  the  angels  did  decide, 

And  acted  well  their  several  parts. 

His  real  self  is  with  us  yet, 

And  with  us  he  can  still  remain ; 
Already  freed  ones  he  has  met  — 

Met  them  on  progression's  plane. 

Scarcely  a  thin  veil  hangs  between 
The  living  and  the  so-called  dead — 

Between  the  seen  and  the  unseen, 
Together  side  by  side  they  tread. 

We  should  rejoice  rather  than  mourn, 
When  weary  ones  are  thus  released, 

When  bodies  to  the  grave  are  borne, 
And  turmoils  of  the  flesh  have  ceased. 

For  God  still  doeth  all  things  well, 
And  we  can  trust  Him  for  His  grace, 

As  when  the  men  of  old  did  tell, 

Angels  with  men  talked  face  to  face. 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS  57 


MEASURE  OF  THE  SOUL. 

The  angel  came  down,  it  was  measuring  day, 
The  soul  to  be  gauged  had  to  come  that  way  ; 
Howe'er  one  might  wish  the  test  to  avoid, 
Each  would  receive  either  blame  or  reward. 

The  gold  bar  adjuster  could  make  no  mistake, 
All  were  measured  as  true  as  figures  could  make ; 
Though  some  might  object  to  a  process  so  true 
No  one  could  escape  the  measure  his  due. 

1  thought  I  had  done  much  good  the  past  year, 

And  hoped  that  my  measure  would  prove  bright  and  clear, 

But  when  secret  motives  were  exposed  to  view, 

How  selfish  appeared  the  record  so  true! 

Evade  it  as  each  one  might  try  to  do, 
The  golden  measure  ail  the  facts  would  show ; 
The  state  of  the  soul  was  clearly  revealed, 
Not  a  secret  though*  or  deed  was  concealed. 


WHAT  SHALL  WE  DO  WITH  JESUS  ? 

[  Suggested  by  hearing  a  sermon  on  this  topic,  ] 

What  shall  we  do  with  Jesus  ?   is  asked  again  today  ; 
What  can   we   do  but  love  Him  ?     Love  Him  and  watch 

and  pray ; 

Love  Him,  includes  all  duty — all  else  we  have  to  do, 
For  none  can  truly  love  Him  and  prove  to  man  untrue. 

Then  follow  His  example  as  He  was  doing  good , 
When    through   this   rough   world    walked   He,    and   sin's 

worst  wiles  withstood. 

And  when  He  met  repentant,  a  sinful,  erring  child, 
He  said  with  great  compassion,  in  accents  soft  and  mild, 
Neither  do  I  condemn  thee,  go,  sin  no  more,  my  child. 

"What  shall  we  do  with  Jesus?"  Who  can  to  this  reply? 
What  shall  we  do  wihout  Him  ?  should  be  the  earnest  cry; 
So  speak  to  thoee  who  cloubt  Him  that  they  to  Him  may  fly. 


58  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS 


HAGAR  IN  THE  DESERT. 

The  bread  and  the  water  were  gone 
The  lad  was  weary  and  faint ; 

The  mother  despairing  sat  down, 
And  to  God  sent  up  her  complaint 

Hagar  now  hears  the  angel's  reply, 
*  Fear  not,  lift  the  lad  in  thine  hand, 

For  he  is  not  going  to  die — 

His  sons  shall  inherit  the  land." 

Then  God  opened  her  eyes  as  He  willed, 
And  a  well  of  pure  water  she  saw, 

And  the  bottle  again  she  fille^, 
Resuming  her  journey  with  awe ! 


CHRISTMAS. 

Open  wide  the  door  of  hope, 
Let  Christmas  cheer  come  in ; 

Give  every  one  the  freest  scope 
True  happiness  to  win. 

What  better  day  than  this  to  choose, 

For  errantry  sublime ! 
To  let  all  closed-up  purse  strings  loose, 

And  celebrate  the  time 

When  angels  sang  in  heaven  for  joy, 
When  Christ  to  earth  was  given, 

The  son  of  God,  the  human  boy, 
To  point  the  way  to  heaven. 

Let  gladness  hover  "round  each  hearth, 
Let  generous  hearts  respond 

To  wants  of  dwellers  nere  on  earth, 
To  needs  on  every  hand. 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS  59 

More  blessed  'tis  to  give  than  take, 

More  blessed  to  relieve 
The  wants  of  poor  and  destitute, 

Than  ever  to  receive. 

Then  hail  the  hopeful  Christmas  day  I 

The  day  when  Christ  was  born ; 
Let  happiness  and  cheer  alway 

This  blessed  day  adorn. 


"LEAST  OF  THESE. " 

Are  people  today  wiser 

Than  when  the  Christ  was  slain? 
Or  would  they  be  more  loving 

If  He  should  come  again? 

Oh,  yes  !  on  looking  backward, 
And  Christ  we  read  about, 

We  surely  would  accept  Him, 
No  home  would  shut  him  out! 

Today  He  is  so  honored, 

When  ragged  outcasts  come, 

We  welcome  them  as  Jesus 
Into  our  pleasant  homes! 

This  was  what  was  meant,  no  doubt. 
By  "  the  least  of  one  of  these,  " 

When  Christ  himself  assured  us 
We  himself  that  way  could  please  i 

Now,  poor  aged  wanderers 
In  this  good  Christian  land, 

You  need  not  feel  forsaken — 
Relieved  by  Christ's  command  1 

Correct  is  this  plain  picture  ? 

Or  should  it  be  explained 
That  only  in  the  retrospect 

Are  these  good  things  obtained  ? 


60  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS 


"TO  MY  SISTER"  AND  RESPONSE. 

(The  following  correspondence  in  ryhme  between  the 
author  and  her  sister,  Mrs.  E.  E.  Orcult,  was  carried  on 
through  the  columns  of  the  Monmouth  (111.)  Atlas,  on  the 
part  of  the  former  and  the  columns  of  the  Boston  Olive 
Branch  on  the  part  of  the  latter.  The  first  in  order —  "  To 
my  Sister " — was  written  for  the  Olive  Branch  by  Mrs.  Or- 
cutt,  at  Woodstock,  Vermont,  May  1,  1851.  The  "Re- 
sponse" was  written  for  the  Atlas  by  Mrs.  Smith,  at  Mon- 
mouth, Illinois,  July  12,  1851.) 

When  our  last  farewell  was  given, 
How  our  trusting  hearts  were  riven, 
Faint  the  smiles  we  strove  to  wear, 
Tears  their  right  asserted  there. 

Though  deep  waves  between  us  flow, 
Thoughts  may  travel  to  and  fro, 
On  the  mystic  wire  of  will, 
That  binds  our  hearts  together  still. 

And  now  I  come  at  evening  dew, 
When  fancy  spreads  her  wings  anew, 
And  sit  in  thought  beside  your  hearth 
And  join  the  social  chat  and  mirth. 

I  see  dear  children  'round  you  come, 
And  hear  them  sing  again  "Sweet  Home," 
Those  buds  in  heaven  are  with  me,  too, 
Though  now  they  bloom  away  from  you. 

They  need  no  more  your  tender  care, 
But  live  forever  young  and  fair  ; 
I  hear  the  voice  of  song  and  praise, 
And  hoping,  wait  for  brighter  days. 

Oh,  dear !  the  thought  that  soothes  the  heart, 
When  from  our  loved  ones  rent  apart, 
.  That  we  shall  one  day  meet  again, 
Beyond  the  reach  of  every  pain. 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS  61 

Yes,  sister,  in  that  better  land, 
Where  pleasures  bloom  on  every  hand, 
And  sacred  joys  perennial  reign 
*Tis  sweet  to  think  we'll  meet  again. 

And  should  we  not  each  other  greet 
'Till  in  that  blissful  land  we  meet, 
May  all  the  intervening  time 
Be  spent  in  fitting  for  that  clime. 

And  while  the  past  has  power  to  bring 
Glad  thoughts  to  us  on  memory's  wing, 
Oh,  may  the  future  lend  a  charm, 
Which  shall  the  cares  of  life  disarm. 

May  each  routine  of  duty  be 
The  advent  of  new  liberty, 
New  liberty  for  mental  eyes 
To  pierce  the  gates  of  paradise. 

There  may  the  eye  of  faith  behold 
The  lambs  Christ  gathered  to  His  fold, 
And  as  their  beckoning  glance  we  meet, 
And  hear  their  lisping  tongues  repeat 

The  song  of  "home,  sweet  home  "  above, 
Oh,  how  our  hearts  in  grateful  love, 
Pour  forth  the  hopeful,  ardent  prayer, 
That  we  ere  long  their  bliss  may  share. 


TRUE  KNOWLEDGE. 

How  long  it  takes  to  learn  to  live 
In  this  good  world  of  ours, 

Though  very  much  it  has  to  give 
To  lighten  up  our  powers. 

We  do  not  open  our  blind  eyes 
To  see  what's  to  be  seen ; 

We  do  not  listen  with  our  ears 
To  what  "  glad  tidings  "  mean. 


62  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  QF  POEMS 

Jesus  desired  that  we  should  know 
What  He  had  learned  so  well, 

And  grieved  because  we  were  so  slow 
While  on  this  earth  we  dwell. 

Why  can't  we  find  the  Christ  within, 
And  learn  what's  best  to  know, 

Instead  of  floating  on  in  sin, 
As  turbid  waters  flow  ? 

Oh,  what  •*  lovely  world  is  this, 

If  men  were  only  true  ! 
How  much  of  happiness  they  miss 

By  what  they  now  pursue ! 

Seek  God's  kingdom  and  righteousnes. 

The  first  thing  that  you  do, 
Then  all  things  else  in  plenteousness 

Will  be  secured  to  you. 


CHRIST  CRUCIFIED. 

Discouraged  the  Disciples  felt 
As  prostrate  'neath  the  cross  they  knelt; 
Jesus  from  them  now  was  taken, 
Fearfully  their  faith  was  shaken ! 

They  thought  He  was  the  One  who  would 
Now  fill  the  world  with  -brotherhood 
And  never  more  that  sin  should  reign — 
Satan  no  more  a  foothold  gain ! 

They  thought  invulnerable  He  was 
To  being  nailed  upon  the  cross, 
Or  ever  human  beings  could 
Deprive  Him  of  His  livelihood. 

Now  had  this  brightest  prospect  fled, 
And  all  their  brilliant  hopes  lay  dead, 
As  Jesus  on  the  cross  expired 
And  nothing  seemed  of  them  required. 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS  63 

Shortsighted  were  Disciples  then 
Like  people  now,  when  told  again 
The  mission  of  the  Saviour  here 
To  bless  with  righteousness  this  sphere. 

Today  Christ  is  not  understood, 
Though  pioclaimed  loudly   that  He  could, 
If  sinners  would  but  trust  in  Him, 
From  sin's  bondage  deliver  them. 

Though  many  of  His  graces  ring — 
A  wordy  trust  is  not  the  thing, 
And  works  must  follow  in  the  wak^ 
Of  pious  preaching  for  His  sake. 

The  faith  of  just  a  little  child— 
The  pure  religion,  undenled — 
Drink  to  the  thirsty  daily  given, 
Are  passports  on  the  road  to  heaven. 

Some  think  of  Christ  as  far  away : 
His  spirit  can,  and  does  each  day 
Come  in  to  sup  without  delay 
As  a  loved  guest  had  come  to  stay. 


THE  INNER  VOICE. 

Let  not  your  conscience  e'er  be  seared 

But  heed  its  dictates  true, 
Accept  not  all  that  has  appeared 

As  a  reality  to  you ! 

But  listen  to  the  inner  voice 
And  wisdom  therefrom  gain. 

Give  no  heed  to  external  noise, 
From  outward  calls  refrain. 

Pause  and  consider  now  which  way 
Your  steps  today  are  leading, 

Waste  not  the  time  that's  called  today 
Earths  lessons  all  unheeding. 


64  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS 


PERFECT  LOVE. 

Give  me  the  love  that  casts  out  fear, 
The  love  that  brings  the  Savior  near; 
This  is  the  message  Jesus  brought, 
For  this  he  suffered,  toiled  and  fought. 

He  fought  the  fight  of  faith  to  win 
The  bliss  of  being  freed  from  sin ; 
To  bring  the  human  race  to  know 
How  they  could  save  themselves  from  woe. 

11 1  am  the  way,  the  truth,  the  life," 
All  other  ways  are  filled  with  strife ; 
His  burden  is  so  very  light 
It  lifts  the  darkness  from  the  night. 

'  Twas  love  that  sent  him  to  this  world, 
Love's  banner  caused  to  be  unfurled, 
That  guilt  might  flee,  the  Father  be 
Through  Christ  discerned  and  loved  as  he. 

Christ  within  that  glorious  hope, — 
Not  brought  by  either  priest,  or  pope ; 
This  is  the  love  that  frees  the  soul, 
From  bondage  of  the  flesh  control. 


ADVANCEMENT. 

I  don't  denounce  the  views  I  left 

More  than  the  shoes  I  have  outgrown : 

They  served  me  when  I  younger  was, 
And  were  the  best  I  then  had  known. 

The  road  I  traveled  o'er  last  week 
Led  me  to  the  point  I  craved ; 

To  stay  there  was  not  what  I  wished 
E'en  though  much  labor  thus  I  saved. 

1  My  Father  worketh  hitherto  ;n 
Should  I  then  ever  try  to  shirk 

Whatever  seemeth  best  to  do, 
When  Jesus  said,  *  I  also  work  ?  " 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS  65 

If  fruit  trees  get  the  sun  and  rain, 

And  soil  is  loosened  round  them, 
The  fruit  will  surely  faster  ripen 

Than  if  the  dry  earth  bound  them. 

Then  cultivate  both  heart  and  mind, 

Just  as  one  would  his  garden  till, 
For  neither  will  expand  and  grow 

By  sleeping,  or  by  standing  still. 


GOD'S  KINDERGARTEN. 

"  We  aie  all  children  in  the  kindegarten  of  God. 

-The  Philistine. 

Yes,  in  God's  Kindergarten  we 
Are  only  babies  yet,  you  see, 
And  just  now  learning  A,  B,  C  ! 

When  we  get  to  syllables  two,  ' 
And  the  muses  begin  to  woo, 
What  will  our  teachers  with  us  do  ? 

For  life's  large  book  is  so  abstruse, 
And  so  filled  up  with  diverse  views, 
Can  we  adapt  it  to  our  use  ? 

If  step  by  step  we  persevere, 
And  to  right  teaching  do  adhere, 
The  "  little  learning  "  will  appear. 

Though  "little  "  is  a  dangerous  thing, 
Without  it  can  we  ever  bring 
Ourselves  within  the  charmed  ring — 

The  charmed  ring  of  authors  rare, 
Or  be  enabled  to  declare 
Our  pinions  to  be  free  as  air 

On  Fancy's  fairy  wings  to  fly, 
Free  as  the  bird  flits  in  the  sky, 
And  warbles  to  the  stars  on  high  ? 


66  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS 


WHERE? 

Where  is  heaven  ?  and  where  is  hell  ? 
Just  where  the  proper  persons  dwell ; 
Two  may  be  sitting  side  by  side, 
And  each  in  heaven  or  hell  reside. 

You  are  in  heaven  if  heaven's  in  you, 
This  may  to  you  be  something  new, 
But  you  will  learn  that  it  is  true, 
As  air  is  in  and  outside  too ! 

We  all  do  happinsss  desire, 
To  gain  the  same  it  will  require 
Determined  will  and  energy 
Practiced  with  patient  industry. 

Love  must  lift  the  heavy-laden 
Ere  one  can  reach  this  earthly  Eden ; 
'  Tis  love  alone  produces  sweets, 
And  heightens  all  the  joys  he  meets ! 

Then  start  with  Love  divine,  and  know 
That  you  will  reap  just  as  you  sow. 
Nature  in  all  her  ways  is  just — 
Measure  impartially  she  must ! 


HEAVEN. 

There  is  in  every  dewy  flower, 
That  opes  its  leaves  at  morning  hour 
And  every  raindrop  of  a  shower, 
A  mighty  lesson  which  has  power 
To  tell  of  heaven  to  man. 

There  is  in  every  lamp  on  high, 
In  every  orb  that  meets  the  eye, 
The  sun,  whose  rays  the  stars  outvie, 
And  every  cloudlet  in  the  sky, 
What  tells  of  heaven  to  man. 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS  67 

There  is  in  every  shrub  that  grows, 
In  every  leaf  that  Nature  knows, 
In  every  breath  of  wind  that  blows, 
And  everything  that  God  bestows, 
What  tells  of  heaven  to  man. 

Shall  man,  God's   noblest  work,  alone 
His  Maker's  sovereign  care  disown? 
Refuse  the  terms  that  would  atone, 
For  all  the  wrongs  that  he  has  done, 
And  purchased  heaven  for  man  ? 


THY  WILL,  NOT  MINE. 

Thy  kingdom  come,  Thy  will  be  done, 

Thy  will  be  done  in  me ; 
Then  all  that's  worthy  will  be  won 

And  swallowed  up  in  Thee. 

Thy  will  not  mine  should  ever  be 

The  principle  applied  ; 
No  higher  blessedness  we'll  see 

Than  to  in  this  abide. 

The  grace  and  wisdom  from  above, 
The  trust  that  gives  true  peace — 

The  blissful  harmony  of  love 
Will  never,  never  cease. 

Then  why  in  deadly  strife  and  toil 

Should  daily  man  engage  ? 
Why  not  escape  all  the  turmoil 

That  doubts  and  troubles  wage  ? 

Why  not  accept  the  words  of  Christ, 
Ye  shall  find  peace  in  me  ? 

The  words  in  which  the  saints  rejoiced 
And  blessedness  was  free  ? 


68  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS 


PLANTS  AND  FLOWERS. 

Yes,  their  interest  to  us  is  doubly  enhanced 
By  knowing  that  there  is  intelligence  in  plants ; 
You  speak  to  them  and  they  will  nod  the  head 
As  if  they  understood  just  what  you  said  ! 

Note  that  tendril  reaching  out  to  find  support, 
As  if  it  knew  the  lay  of  twigs  it  seeks  to  court  ; 
Intelligence  that  only  vines  will  exercise 
And  taking  thought  of  sturdy  strength  likewise. 

They  seem  to  know  when  eyes  bend  o'er  them  lovingly 
And  almost  grasp  the  hand  they  do  appear  to  see. 
Pet  birds,  also  turn  the  back  upon  persons  they  know 
And  with  ruffled  feathers  their  keen  dislike  will  show! 

Both  plants  and  birds  know  much  more  than  people  think 
Estimating  the  same  by  what  they  eat  and  drink, 
For  they  do  need  nourishment  somewhat  as  humans  do, 
And  they  wilt  and  fade  for  the  want  of  it,  also. 

Cruelty  to  animals  has  justly  been  a  theme 
Calling  in  the  care  of  them  for  a  kindlier  scheme ; 
But  for  cruelty  to  plants  has  not  been  thought  worth  while 
To  change  the  order  of  their  care  to  a  better  style. 

Oct.  5,  1908. 


DO  OUR  LOVED  ONES  COME  > 

Do  our  loved  ones  come  again  to  their  home 

And  know  how  we  miss  them  here  ? 
Do  they  look  in  the  heart  and  solace  impart 

While  the  form  lies  cold  on  the  bier  ? 

Come  the  breathings  of  love  from  the  pure  spheres  above 

To  cheer  the  desponding  and  tried  ? 
Oh,  then  there  is  rest  for  the  one  bereft 

Who  longer  on  earth  must  abide. 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS  69 

If  these  things  be  so,  and  the  truths  we  may  know, 

Then  will  we  not  thrust  them  aside, 
But  for  wisdom  will  ask,  and  think  it  no  task 

When  Jesus  -we  have  for  our  guide, 

Jesus  Christ,  the  day-spring,  to  earth  came  to  bring 

Life  and  immortality  to  light ; 
Then  who  should  despise,  or  think  as  unwise, 

His  heavenly  teachings  so  bright  I 

Let  us  take  His  word  and  follow  our  Lord, 

Assured  He  is  always  our  friend ; 
His  peace  He  will  give  while  to  him  we  live 

Though  trials  sore  may  us  attend. 


COLUMBUS 

In  fourteen  hundred  ninety-two 
Columbus  started  with  his  crew; 
He  sought  not  honor,  fame  or  wealth  -, 
He  came  not  to  restore  his  health. 

The  world  must  have  one  sided  seemed 
Before  the  thought  in  his  brain  teemed, 
That  there  must  be  a  continent 
Off  where  the  setting  sun  was  sent. 

Look  on  the  map  and  see  the  space 
That  now  the  old  world  would  embrace, 
Had  not  Columbus  with  his  band 
Crossed  over  to  this  goodly  land. 

So  for  the  unknown,  foreign  shores 
The  briny  waters  he  explores  ! 
His  faith  is  strong  that  there  must  be 
A  continent  beyond  the  sea. 

Then  cheers  for  good  Queen  Isabel 
Whose  wisdom  was  her  citadel, 
Whose  generous  aid  Columbus  gained 
Through  whom  success  and  honors  rained. 


70  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  QF  POEMS 

THE  BIBLE. 

The  Bible  is  not  chained  within 

A  fortress  dark  and  old ; 
Its  truths  from  out  the  paths  of  sin 

Will  lead  you  to  Christ's  fold. 

Then  give  your  energies  today 

To  trace  its  sacred  lore, 
Nor  throw  the  heavenly  truth  away 

If  thus  you've  done  before. 

'Twill  tell  you  how  the  Saviour  talked 

When  he  was  but  a  child ; 
'Twill  tell  you  how  the  righteous  walked 

This  rugged  earth  and  wild. 

*  Twill  tell  you  to  escape  the  woes 

That  wickedness  befalls  ; 
'  Twill  tell  you  how  to  conquer  foes, 
And  build  up  Zion's  walls. 

*  Twill  tell  you  of  that  love  divine 

Which  gave  the  Son  to  die. 
That  all  accepting  Him  may  find 
A  home  beyond  the  sky. 


THY  WILL  BE  DONE. 

Not  my  will  but  Thine  be  done  ; 
Thus  be  every  day  begun, 
Then,  whate'er  my  duties  be, 
It  will  still  be  well  with  me. 
Heavenly  guidance  all  the  way 
Daily,  hourly  have,  we  may. 
Ask — it  shall  be  given  thee. 
For  the  giving  is  most  free. 
Wisdom  has  this  good  way  planned 
Governed  by  God's  own  command. 
Perfect  love  casts  out  all  fear, 
And  there'll  be  no  danger  near. 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS      71 


DREAM  OF  HEAVEN. 

I  dream  of  heaven  ;  great  peace  have  they 
Whose  minds  are  stayed  on  God ; 

They  use  no  words,  with  thoughts  they  pray, 
To  Him  who  is  the  Lord. 

Their  bodies,  radiant  and  pure. 
Their  beauteous  garments  fine ; 

So  full  of  life  that  will  endure ; 
May  life  in  heaven  be  mine. 

While  we  in  earth  our  mansions  build, 

Our  garden  fill  with  flowers, 
And  every  day  becomes  enfillee 

With  bright,  supernal  powers! 

We  get  a  taste  of  heaven  here, 

While  tarrying  below, 
Which  those  now  in  the  higher  sphere, 

In  glory  so  well  know. 


THE  NEW  AND  THE  TRUE 
Dec.  10,  1875. 

Tell  me  something  newer 

Than  the  latest  news ; 
Something  that  is  truer 

Than  the  morning  dews.  • 

The  news  is  old  to-morrow, 
The  dew  is  gone  ere  noon ; 

Everything  but  sorrow 
Perishes  thus  soon. 

Give  me  something  sparkling, 
Something  like  new  wine, 

Which  with  age  advancing 
Renders  it  more  fine. 


72  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS 

M%Y  SEVENTY-FIFTH   BIRTHDAY. 
March  13,  1892. 

Seventy-five  years  ;  and  where  have  they  blown  ? 
Tell  if  you  can  where  the  summers  are  gone ; 
The  wings  of  Life  and  the  ocean  of  Time 
Have  floated  them  off  as  a  rythmic  rhyme. 

I  feel  not  so  old  as  the  years  would  tell, 
The  days  of  my  youth  I  remember  well ; 
The  charm  of  living  is  as  great  as  then, 
Old  age  has  no  terrors  to  darken  my  ken. 

The  world  looks  as  lovely,  belonging  to  God — 
The  world  as  His  footstool  where'er  I  have  trod; 
'Tis  as  well  to  be  old  as  it  is  to  be  young, 
As  sweet  as  the  sowing  is  the  harvest  song  sung. 

God  is  the  giver  of  every  gcod  thing, 

Autumn  as  bright  as  the  hopefullest  spring ; 

Time  is  not  counted  by  days  and  years, 

'Tis  counted  by  heart-throbs,  by  smiles  and  tears. 

Then  hail,  all  the  days  as  they  swiftly  fly ! 
We  will  use  them  well  as  they  hurry  by, 
For  life  does  not  end  with  our  earthly  days, 
And  God  holds  the  keys  to  the  heavenly  way. 

I  can  trust  the  future  as  in  the  past, 

All  will  be  well  when  the  end  comes  at  last ; 

I  shall  be  "  satisfied "  when  I  awake 

In  His  dear  likeness  when  the  dawn  shall  break. 


OUR     SIXTY-FOURTH    WEDDING    ANNIVERSARY. 
San  Diego,  Cal.,  July  7,   1 899. 

We  are  nearing  the  end  of  our  journey, 

The  mountains  begin  to  look  bright, 
Very  soon  we  may  enter  the  portals 

Where  there  will  be  no  more  night. 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS  73 

From  trials  our  life  has  not  been  exempt, 

But  day  always  followed  the  night ; 
Have  ever  been  blessed  beyond  our  deserts, 

Our  path  undeservedly  bright. 

More  cause  for  thankfulness  than  repining, 
Have  seen  more  of  pleasure  than  pain, 

Every  cloud  has  had  its  silver  lining, 
And  darkness  changed  to  light  again. 

"  1  have  meat  to  eat  that  ye  know  not  of," 
Said  Christ  when  his  heart  was  full  of  love  ; 
We  also  may  feed  on  food  divine, 
Nor  hunger,  nor  thirst,  nor  feel  to  repine. 

We  get  what  we  seek,  if  we  seek  aright, 
His  yoke  is  easy  and  His  burden  light ; 
Brighter  and  brighter  grows  our  pathway, 
Till  now  we  nre  nearing  the  perfect  day. 

To  loved  ones  who  meet  with  us  here  to-day 
May  flowers  spring  up  all  along  your  pathway, 
That  the  evening  of  life  your  best  may  be, 
All  ripe  for  a  blissful  eternity. 


THE  MOON  JS  BEAMING  BRIGHT,   LOVE. 

(To  Eliza.) 

The  moon  is  beaming  bright,  love, 

Its  mellow  light  on  me ; 
It  sheds  its  rays  to-night,  love, 

As  sweetly,  too,  on  thee. 

What  consolation  this,  love, 
Though  distant  you  may  be, 

And  your  kind  voice  I  miss,  love, 
We  both  this  beacon  see. 

How  often  we  have  strayed,  love, 

Beneath  its  smiling  beams, 
Where  cooling  zephyrs  played,  love, 

Beside  the  silver  streams. 


74  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS 

Perhaps  you  are  to-night,  love, 

Even  as  I  am  now. 
Gazing  on  its  light,  love, 

And  thinking  of  our  vow. 

Good  night,  then,  good  night,  love, 
Since  parted  we  must  be, 

I'll  hail  this  beacon  light,  love, 
Which  speaks  to  me  of  thee. 


TRUTH. 

The  book  of  life  is  opened  wide 
That  he  who  runs  may  read ; 

The  word  of  Truth  is  by  your  side, 
Its  sacred  contents  heed. 

We  need  not  wander  from  the  right 
And  bend  the  knee  to  error, 

When  Christ's  example,  pure  and  bright 
Relieves  us  of  all  terror. 

The  star  of  Truth  forever  shines, 

Be  guided  by  its  rays; 
From  dross,  Truth's  crucible  refines 

The  purest  of  Life's  days. 


WORDS. 

Why  use  the  little  words  that  sting, 
Or  tones  that  will  cause  suffering  ? 
Why  not  be  affable  and  kind, 
And  something  pleasant  bring  to  mind 

Why  not  forget  unpleasant  things  ! 
A  well-bred  person  never  flings 
A  painful  word  to  anyone — 
Neither  sarcastic  nor  in  fun ! 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEiMS  75 

If  the  past  you  know  has  been 
What  looked  like  accident  or  sin, 
Which  made  a  fellow  mortal  blush, 
Why  on  that  subject  should  you  push  ? 

There  would  be  more  of  happiness 
While  traveling  through  earth's  wilderness 
If  all  would  try  to  aid  each  other, 
Treating  each  one  as  a  brother ! 

The  Golden  Rule  teaches  the  same. 
We  are  to  help  the  blind  and  lame — 
Not  merely  physically  blind, 
But  those  whom  Truth  doth  not  yet  bind. 


ONE  LOVELY  MORN. 

BY    MRS.    C.    K.    SMITH. 

One  lovely  morn  when  May  was  born 
On  the  Pacific  Coast  was  I — 

I  breathed  the  breath  of  roses  then — 
As  their  fragrance  rich  swept  by. 

There's  goodness  in  the  human  heart, 

Say  what  you  will  about  it, 
If  we  would  only  trust  it  more, 

Not  be  so  quick  to  doubt  it. 

There's  sometimes  goodness  in  a  heart, 
Where  least  you  would  suspect  it, 

'  Tis  hidden  in  a  soul  apart 
Because  it's  been  neglected. 

'  Tis  best  to  see  some  good  in  all 

Instead  of  thinking  ill, 
Better  to  keep  in  memory's  hall 

The  Champion  of  good  will. 


76  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  QF  POEMS 

INDEPENDENCE. 
July  4,    1850 

Here  we  meet,  a  little  band 
To  commemorate  the  day, 

When  the  fathers  of  our  land, 
Met  allegiance  vows  to  pay. 

Not  allegiance  vows  to  power, 
Nor  allegiance  vows  to  fame  ; 

These,  the  trappings  of  an  hour, 
Are  not  worthy  of  the  name. 

But  the  consecrated  vows, 
We  commemorate  this  day, 

At  whose  shrine  Columbia  bows, 
Were  the  vows  of  Liberty  ! 

Strong  in  God's  protecting  power 
To  uphold  a  nation  free, 

Were  the  patriots  of  that  hour, 
Which  proclaimed  our  Liberty  ! 

Now  let  Freedom's  song  be  sung, 
And  her  noble  story  told  ; 

Sound  it  forth  from  every  tongue, 
As  in  thrilling  strains  of  old ! 

Let  pealing  bells  be  heard, 

And  be  Freedom's  flag  unfurled, 

Until,  like  a  swift-winged  bird, 
Liberty  shall  fan  the  world  ! 


CONTEMPLATING  SUICIDE. 

Courage,  woman,  live  out  your  days, 
At  the  worst  they  will  be  brief, 

And  and  not  so  hard  will  be  your  ways, 
For  suicide  gives  no  relief. 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS  77 

You  will  be  more  alive  when  n  dead  " 
Than  when  you  thought  yourself  alive  ; 

You  can  never  oblivion  wed, 

Nor  will  you  in  self  murder  thrive ! 

Better  to  bear  a  few  short  years 
What  may  be  called  the  ills  of  life, 

Than,  overcome  by  paltry  fears 
Of  sorrow  or  discordant  strife. 

Your  burdens  may  be  hard  to  bear, 

The  load  you  carry  heavy  be, 
But  look  around,  you'll  see  elsewhere 

Some  toiler  would  exchange  with  thee. 

Then  "  angels  unawares "  might  come 
And  dwell  with  you  within  your  home  ; 

A  soothing  influence  it  would  be 

Which  you  would  feel,  but  might  net  see. 

Oct.   10,  1908. 


A  SIMILITUDE. 

Suppose  the  sun,  which  shines  on  high, 

Enlightening  all  around, 
Could  from  its  orbit  in  the  sky, 

Survey  this  lower  ground, 

And  view  the  effects  its  rays  produce, 

As  if  it  reason  had, 
And  knew  the  blessings  of  its  use 

In  making  nature  glad. 

'  Twould  then  behold  in  every  sea, 
In  every  river,  lake  and  stream, 

The  image  of  its  majesty, 
Its  own  reflected  beam. 

Nay,  the  loftiest  mountain  tops, 

The  snowy  glaciers  too, 
Would  then  lift  up  their  dazzling  caps, 

To  its  resplendent  view. 


78  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS 

'  Tis  thus  the  Sun  of  Righteousness, 

In  every  soul  renewed, 
Beholds  his  own  divine  express, 

As  in  a  mirror  viewed. 

And  through  the  beauty  of  his  Son, 
Does  our  Eternal  Father  see 

The  beings  here  that  Christ  hath  won, 
And  smiles  complacently. 


"SHALL  SEE  GOD." 

Yes,  they'll  see  Him  in  His  works, 
And  they'll  see  Him  in  His  ways  ; 

They'll  see  Him  in  the  form  of  man, 
And  in  the  lapse  of  days. 

They'll  see  Him  in  the  meanest  worm 
1  hat  crawls  upon  the  earth ; 

They'll  see  Him  in  the  tiniest  form 
That  e'er  in  life  had  birth. 

They'll  see  Him  on  the  broad  hill-side; 

They'll  see  Him  in  the  valley ; 
They'll  see  Him  on  the  ocean  wide, 

And  in  the  meanest  alley. 

Though  to  earth's  remotest  bound 
They  could  take  wings  and  fly, 

Like  one  of  old  they  would  have  found 
Jehovah  still  was  nigh. 


ALONE. 

Oh,  no,  I  never  feel  alone 
And  never  know  a  fear, 

For  all  along  my  path  are  shown 
Companions  that  are  dear. 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS  79 

I  see  them  in  the  stubborn  rocks, 

I  see  them  in  the  stream, 
I  see  them  where  the  tempest  mocks 

And  lightening  flashes  gleam. 

I  meet  them  in  the  lowly  flower, 

And  in  the  forest  grand, 
I  meet  them  at  the  morning  hour 

When  dews  are  on  the  land  ; 

For  then  the  fragrance  is  sublime, 

The  freshness  is  complete  ; 
And  then  all  nature  is  in  rhyme 

With  everything  that's  sweet. 

O,  who  would  miss  the  grand  display 

Of  nature's  handiwork, 
As  seen  in  every  dawning  day 

Where  rich  surprises  lurk. 


SPIRIT  FRIENDS 

I  would  not  keep  them  near  me 

If  never  best  for  them  ; 
I  ask  them  not  to  hear  me 

Or  loving  words  proclaim, 
Unless  the  blessed  meeting 

Should  mutually  be 
A  happiness  to  them 

As  well  as  'tis  to  me. 

How  selfish  are  we  mortals 
In  claiming  loved  ones  dear 

To  tarry  at  earth's  portals 
Because  we  want  them  here, 

When  they  would  gladly  hasten 
To  higher  realms  than  this, 

Where  they  might  be  partaking 
Of  endless  love  and  bliss. 


80  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS 


LIFE. 

Now,,  while  life  is  full  and  free* 
I'll  hasten  to  define  it ; 

Life  is  in  the  land  and  sea, 
If  only  we  divine  itl 

Life  is  only  Love  expressed ; 

Life  is  not  life  without  it ; 
This  truth  is  to  all  addressed 

However  they  may  doubt  it  I 

Life  is  light  as  well  as  love, 
Love  is  life  in  motion ; 

The  angels  bring  it  from  above 
As  free  as  in  the  ocean  I 

Can  you  dip  the  ocean  dry  ? 

Life  is  thus  exhaustless ; 
There  is  always  full  supply 

To  all  who  will  endorse  this. 

Then  why  don't  all  men  have  it 

And  manifest  alway, 
Since  there  is  plenty  of  it 

With  none  to  say  them  nay  ? 


BEAUTY. 

There's  beauty  in  the  virgin  spring, 

When  in  the  wood  she  weaves  her  bowers 

There's  beauty  where  the  wild  birds  sing, 
And  echoes  start  among  the  flowers. 

There's  beauty  in  the  pine-clad  mount, 
Where  zephyrs  sigh,  and  tempests  fall, 

There's  beauty  in  the  gushing  fount, 
Where  heaven's  arch  is  over  all. 

There's  beauty  in  the  humble  flower, 
In  mead  or  grove — on  green  hill  side — 

A  beauty  of  enticing  power, 
Wherever  lovely  flowers  abide. 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS 

There's  beauty  in  the  silver  moon. 

The  twinkling  stars  that  shine  by  night 

That  on  our  world  look  mildly  down. 
And  glad  us  with  their  mellow  light 

There's  a  beauty  which  never  dies — 

A  beauty  of  the  rarest  kind, 
Jt  claims  its  kindred  in  the  skies. 

It  is  the  beauty  of  the  mind. 

When  this  in  kindness,  truth  and  love, 

Beams  forth  upon  mankind, 
We  own  its  source  is  from  above. 

And  feel  its  power  divine. 


POETS. 

There  are  living  poets,  who 
Never  wrote  a  word  of  rhyme. 

They  enjoy  a  sunset  view. 
Or  a  cataract  sublime. 

You  may  meet  them,  sitting  by 
Some  needy  sick  one's  bed, 

Or  with  homely  duties  try 
To  soothe  an  aching  head. 

Real  poets  do  not  spend 

All  their  time  in  writing, 
Though  at  times  they  may  have  penned 

Something  most  inviting. 

But  poetry  in  practice  is 

Better  than  in  theory — 
No  public  voice  establishes 

Praise  to  written  poetry. 

Actions  do  ofttimes  express 

More  poetry  than  words; 
And  actions  potent  are  to  bless 

More  than  the  speech  affords ! 


82  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS 

SELFISHNESS. 
April    11,    1908. 

You  live  for  self  and  nothing  more, 
You'll  find  yourself  alone,  before 
You  fairly  realize  the  fact 
That  you  are  thus,  by  your  own  act. 

We  cannot  live  to  ourselves  alone, 
This  everyone  will  have  to  own ; 
Independence  is  not  for  man, 
Nor  was  it  the  Creator's  plan. 

Interdependence  is  the  word, 
By  which  the  sluggish  pulse  is  stirred ; 
Selfishness — the  one-man  power 
Will  thrive  hereafter  not  one  hour. 

The  Golden  Rule  at  once  forbids 
The  selfsame  motive  Nature  aids, 
A  barren  waste,  no  verdure  green 
By  this  lone  wanderer  is  seen. 

Build  you  mansions  while  here  you  stay, 
By  doing  good  as  yet  you  may, 
What  you  deserve  you  will  receive, 
Let  not  your  works  cause  you  to  grieve. 
But  let  the  heart  and  hand  employ 
The  things  that  will  result  in  joy. 


DO  AS  I  DO. 

If  you  walk  the  way  I  walk, 
If  you  talk  the  things  I  talk, 
If  you  read  just  what  I  read, 
Then  I  bid  you  all  God-speed  F 

If  you  dare  to  go  astray, 
Or  to  walk  some  other  way, 
You  are  moving  with  the  throng 
And  are  surely  in  the  wrong. 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS  83 

GOOD   BYE. 
(On  leaving  Illinois  for  California,  October,  1875.) 

Oh,  no,  I  will  not  say  good  bye, 

I'll  take  you  right  along, 
And  then  I'll  always  have  you  nigh 

In  solitude  or  throng. 

I'll  carry  you  on  mem'ry's  wing 

And  keep  you  by  my  side, 
And  that  will  consolation  bring 

From  morn  till  eventide  ! 

I'll  take  you  in  my  inmost  heart 

And  give  you  ample  room, 
We'll  go  where  sweetest  flowers  start, 

And  shed  their  rich  perfume. 

We'll  climb  the  rugged  mountain  side, 

We'll  walk  the  valleys  low, 
We'll  step  above  the  world  so  wide, 

And  shun  its  toil  and  woe. 

Thus  we  will  bridge  both  space  and  time 

And  meet  whene'er  we  will ; 
Though  parted  while  in  earth's  cold  clime 

Our  souls  will  mingle  still ! 


MY    EIRD. 

A  pretty  little  bird  has  come 
To  stay  with  me  and  glad  my  home, 
And  evermore  'twould  grieve  my  heart 
One  moment  from  my  bird  to  pirt. 

From  morn  till  noon,  from  noon  till  night 
This  little  bird  is  my  sunlight, 
And  when  at  eve  I'm  sad  and  weary 
Its  music  notes  come  then  to  cheer  me. 

I  thank  my  God,  whose  home  is  heaven, 
That  He  to  me  this  bird  has  given ; 
May  I  be  faithful  to  the  trust 
Till  dust  again  returns  to  dust. 


84  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS 


REBECCA. 

Like  the  daily  sunshine  bright, 
Like  a  dancing  fay  or  sprite ; 
Like  a  bird  that  lifts  its  wings, 
And  upon  the  tree-top  sings; 

Like  a  flower  of  varied  hue, 
Budding,  blooming,  ever  new ; 
Like  the  warble  of  a  bird 
When  in  woodland  it  is  heard  ; 

Like  the  music  of  the  spheres, 
Which  the  inner  spirit  hears  ; 
Like  the  cadence  of  a  river 
Singing  praises  to  the  giver; 
Neither  babe,  nor  full  grown  woman, 
But  a  lovely  child  that's  human. 

Grandma. 
San  Diego,  Cal.,  Dec.  24,  1902. 


NEW   YEAR. 

The  time  has  come — the  Orient  light 
Of  New  Year's  dawn  is  here ! 

Aurora  bursts  the  gates  of  night, 
And  lo !  a  new  born  year ! 

How  softly  comes  his  gentle  tread, 
As  if  'twere  Reason's  child, 

And  knew  the  Older  Year  was  dead 
In  Time's  huge  volume  filed. 

His  bearing  is  the  most  discreet, 
His  breath  is  like  the  rose  ; 

No  snowy  sandals  on  his  feet, 
No  pendants  from  his  nose. 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS  85 

The  icicles  he  leaves  behind, 

Old    Boreas   disdains ; 
To  rob  the  North  he's  disinclined  ; 

To  suit  the  West  he  aims. 

He  aims  to  suit  our  Western  clime, 

Where  loveliest  flowers  bloom, 
Where  yellower  than  a  golden  mine 

The  orange  is  at  home. 

Last  year  he  paid  a  visit  here 

And  learned  what  we'd  accept ; 
For  other  lands,  with  colder  cheer 

His  frosty  jewels  kept. 

With  open  hand  he  warmly  greets 

The  dwellers  near  our  bay ; 
He  smiles  on  every  one  he  meets, 

Then  hurries  on  his  way. 

For  round  the  world  his  mission  is, 

To  leave  no  spot  untrod ; 
Not  sorrow,  weal  or  woe  are  his — 

All  these  he  leaves  with  God. 


THE  WAY  TO  HEAVEN. 

The  way  to  Heaven  is  very  short, 

Its  steps  are  only  three  ; 
The  Bible  will  the  way  impart, 

Then  to  its  precepts  flee. 

The  first  step  is  to  purge  the  heart 

Of  self,  that  inward  foe, 
And  Christ,  soon  as  with  that  you  part, 

Will  claim  you  for  his  own. 

The  last  step  only  now  you  have 
Before  this  truth  you'll  see, 

And  when  you  pass  beyond  the  grave, 
This  blessedness  will  be. 


86  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS 


THE  LIGHTHOUSE. 

( n  On  the  British  coasts,  there  are  nearly  two  hundred 
Lighthouses.  On  the  northern  and  western  coasts  of  France 
there  are  eighty-nine  lights ;  and  the  Dutch  have  twenty-six 
on  their  sea-coast  and  on  the  shores  of  the  Zuyder  Zee."  ) 

On  a  rock  far  away  from  the  shore, 
The  towering  lighthouse  stands ; 

Where  the  rough  waves  unceasingly  roar, 
There  the  lighthouse  stands. 

Among  the  cliffs  and  dangerous  shoals, 

The  towering  lighthouse  stands  ; 
Where  the  stormy  wind  a  death  knell  toll?, 

There  the  lighthouse  stands. 

To  guide  the  traveler  on  his  way, 
The  towering  lighthouse  stands ; 

With  its  fire  gleaming  over  the  spray, 
There  the  lighthouse  stands. 

To  warn  the  mariner  on  the  sea, 
The  towering  lighthouse  stands  ; 

That  he  may  the  boiling  eddy  flee, 
There  the  lighthouse  stands. 

To  aid  the  ship  the  harbor  to  gain, 
The  towering  lighthouse  stands; 

Throwing  its  golden  light  on  the  main, 
There  the  lighthouse  stands ; 

All  along  the  watery  highway, 
The  towering  lighthouse  stands  ; 

Where  danger  calls  for  its  cheering  ray, 
There  the  lighthouse  stands. 

It  stands,  it  stands,  in  its  gothic  pride, 
The  towering  lighthouse  stands  ; 

Rescuing  souls  from  the  swelling  tide, 
There  the  lighthouse  stands. 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS  87 


ATLANTIS. 

In     the     old     Atlantean     days 
When    people    walked  in    simplest    ways, 
All  governing  was  done  in  love, 
Guided  by  wisdom  from  above. 

They  knew  the  Universe  contained 

Enough  for  all  if  rightly  claimed ; 

It  was  the  wish  externalized 

Which  brought  to  them  what  most  they  prized. 

They  understood  the  silent  law 
That  they  could  from  the  unseen  draw 
What  was  their  own  in  the  Universe — 
To  bring  it  nigh  or  to  disperse. 

All  selfishness  was  there  unknown  ; 
None  ever  called  God's  wealth  his  own ; 
Each  happy  in  another's  joy, 
Great  peace  was  theirs  without  alloy. 

None  were  coerced,  no  jails,  no  crime ; 
All,  proudly  volunteered  in  chime: 
Morals  and  health  went  hand  in  hand — 
None  ill  or  hungry  in  that  land. 

And  here  and  there  in  modern  days 
We  find  a  man  of  kindred  ways, 
Who  would  have  justice  done  to  all 
Without  regard  to  "  Adam's  fall ! " 

In  that  clime  did  Bellamy  dwell, 
That  he  should  picture  scenes  so  well  ? 
Or  did  a  saint  from  the  angel  world 
Give  him  the  hints  his  pen  unfurled  ? 


88  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS 


It  was  no  dream  or  fancy's  flight, 
Born  of  a  fevered  brain  at  night ; 
Times  that  have  been  will  be  again 
With  true  women  and  manly  men ! 


DO    THEY    FORGET? 

Oh,  no,  my  friend,  they  do  not  forget 

Away  on  that  beautiful  shore, 
But  the  things  of  earth  are  in  memory  yet 

As  fresh  as  in  days  of  yore. 

The  friends  whom  they  loved,  they  are  loving  still, 

And  love  is  the  work  evermore 
Engaged  in  by  them  of  their  own  free  will, 

Away  on  that  beautiful  shore ! 

And  the  songs  they  sing  are  the  same  as  then, 

And  they  sing  them  o'er  and  o'er ; 
It  is  love  to  God  and  our  fellow  men 

That  is  heard  on  that  beautiful  shore. 

But  think  not  that  love  will  call  them  away 
From  dear  ones  they  loved  heretofore, 

Nay,  rather  the  warmer  their  hearts  burn  to-day 
Towards  those  on  the  earthly  shore. 

Oh,  no,  do  not  think  the  loved  ones  are  lost, 

Nor  severed  from  earth  evermore, 
You  may  know  by  yourself,  and  thereby  trust 

You'll  meet  on  that  beatiful  shore ! 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  POEMS  89 


POETRY  OR   PROSE. 

Some  write  prosey  poetry, 

Others,  poetic  prose; 
It  does  not  matter  much  to  me 

If  only  words  are  those 

That  tell  me  something  I  may  use 

To  benefit    mankind ; 
Living  true  poetry  or  prose, 

Will  always  bless  the  mind — 

The  mind  of  him  who  writes  or  reads 
That  which  is  well  inclined, 

Whose  life  consists  of  human  deeds, 
With  words  and  deeds  combined. 

'Tis  not  surroundings  that  can  make 

Our  happiness  complete ; 
'Tis  how  vicissitudes  we  take 
That  on  our  way  we  meet. 


A  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION 
OF 

THE  PROSE  WRITINGS 

OF 
MRS.  C.  K.  SMITH. 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF    PROSE 


GOLDEN  WEDDING  BELLS. 

A  FIFTIETH  ANNIVERSARY  CELEBRATED  IN  SAN 

DIEGO. 

[The  following  account  of  the  golden  wedding  anniver- 
sary of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  was  published  in  the  San  Diego 
Daily  Union,  of  July  8,  1885.] 

Not  so  often  that  we  may  not  call  it  rare  does  the 
marriage  relation  endure  to  the  fiftieth  milestone. 
The  scythe  of  Time  spares  comparatively  few  to  the 
experience  of  fifty  years  of  wedded  life.  Few  are 
the  ears  that  hear  again  the  marriage  bells  of  half  a 
century  agone  ;  few  the  memories  that  recall  a  sacred 
hour,  when  from  the  highest  peak  of  life's  experience 
they  looked  out  upon  a  world  that  then  and  for  them 
was  perfect.  Events  in  human  life  so  rare  deserve 
commemoration  and,  as  well,  a  chronicle. 

Yesterday,  July  7,  1685,  was  the  fiftieth  wedding 
anniversary  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  C.  K.  Smith  of  San 
Diego.  Few,  it  was  supposed  none,  outside  the  fam- 
ily connection  knew  the  fact,  though  the  sequel 
showed  that  a  few  friends  were,  unaccountably,  in 
the  secret.  The  family  planned  a  quiet  celebration. 
A  morn/ng  surprise  for  the  worthy  couple  and  after- 
vvard  a  trip  to  the  Mussel  Beds  with  Seely's  coach- 
and-four  was  the  programme.  The  surprise  was  in 

(93) 


94  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  PROSE 

the  presents.  A  little  maneuvering  drew  the  com- 
pany together  in  the  sitting-room  after  breakfast, 
which  was  the  opportunity  wanted  for  presenting 
Mr.  Smith  with  a  fine  gold-headed  cane  and  Mrs. 
Smith  with  a  purse  of  gold  coin.  These  were  the 
gifts  of  children  and  grandchildren,  some  here,  some 
yonder  in  Illinois.  Upon  the  handle  of  the  cane  was 
engraved:  "  Charles  K.  Smith,  1835— July  7,  1885. 
From  his  Children  and  Grandchildren."  The  pre- 
sentation was  made  by  Mr.  J.  Russell  Smith  in  the 
following  well  chosen  words : 

'Dear  'Parents  :  While  my  heart  swells  with  joy  and  grati- 
tude at  the  pleasure  afforded  me  in  being  with  you  today, 
I  regret  my  inability  to  express  my  thoughts. 

It  is  needless  to  remind  you  that  this,  your  fiftieth  wed- 
ding anniversary  (an  event  which  falls  to  the  lot  of  but 
few),  is  one  that  we  have  looked  forward  to  with  great  an- 
ticipation, little  realizing  until  recently  that  we  should  have 
the  pleasure  of  being  one  of  the  number  to  commemorate 
it. 

Words  will  but  feebly  express  the  emotions  of  our  breast 
that  the  good  Father  of  us  all  has  dealt  so  kindly  with  us 
in  permitting  me  and  mine,  as  well  as  so  many  of  your 
dear  children,  to  share  this  occasion  with  you.  While 
cherishing  a  feeling  of  joy  for  this  reunion,  we  do  not  for- 
get those  who  have  gone  before,  as  well  as  others  of  the 
family  who  would  gladly  have  shared  these  pleasures  with 
us  if  it  had  been  in  their  power  to  do  so  ;  and  while  they 
are  far  away,  yet  in  their  and  our  memories  they  can  be 
with  us  and  assist  in  making  this  wedding  anniversary  a 
joyous  one. 

As  the  events  of  life  crowd  upon  you,  the  fifty  years  just 
passed,  no  doubt,  seem  but  a  short  era,  but  we  are  glad 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  PROSE  95 

that  with  us  you  can  live  them  over  again.  We  are  thank, 
ful,  too,  that  Father  Time  has  dealt  so  kindly  and  leniently 
with  you  in  permitting  you  to  share  the  pleasures  of  this 
occasion  in  so  good  health.  May  you  have  many  golden 
days  to  cheer  your  pathway  in  life. 

Dear  father,  it  affords  me  a  great  deal  of  pleasure  at  this 
time  in  behalf  of  your  children  and  grandchildren  to  pre- 
sent you  with  this  gold-headed  cane,  but  while  it  feebly 
expresses  our  love  toward  you,  we  hope  that  whenever 
you  look  upon  it  or  partake  of  its  helpfulness  it  will  re- 
mind you  of  this  happy  occasion  and  ever  bring  pleasant 
remembrance  to  your  mind. 

To  you,  dear  mother,  1  present  these  pieces  of  gold  as 
coming  from  your  children  and  grandchildren.  What 
more  can  I  say  to  make  this  a  complete  day  of  joy  and 
gladness  to  your  heart?  Equally  with  father  have  you 
shared  the  joys  as  well  as  sorrows  of  life,  but  they  are  all 
forgotten  in  the  blessings  of  today. 

These  tokens  but  faintly  bespeak  our  love,  and  while  few 
know  we  express  our  gratitude  but  feebly,  we  hope  the 
golden  days  that  are  in  store  for  you  will  be  free  of  alloy 
and  that  naught  but  happiness  and  joy  will  ever  be  yours. 

May  the  reunion  of  this  day  always  gladden  your  hearts 
and  give  you  a  foretaste  of  a  happy  reunion  awaiting  us  in 
heaven. 

To  these  fervent  words  Mr.  C.  K.  Smith  responded 
as  follows : 

Mp  Ever  Loving  Sons  and  Daughters  :  These  tokens  of 
kindness  and  affection  on  your  part,  so  unexpectedly  be- 
stowed, fill  my  heart  with  the  most  pleasing  emotions  of 
parental  gratitude  and  affection.  In  former  years  I  have 
occasionally  carried  a  cane,  simply  as  a  convenience,  but 


96  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  PROSE 

this  cane,  so  artistically  wrought  and  elaborately  engraved, 
I  shall  ever  prize  as  a  gift  from  loving  hearts  on  this  ever 
to  be  remembered  fiftieth  anniversary  of  our  wedding  day. 
I  shall  use  it  as  a  "  staff "  to  lean  upon  as  time  ever  carries 
me  onward  in  its  rapid  flight ;  and  may  you,  one  and  all, 
be  as  happy  in  its  bestowal  as  I  am  in  its  acceptance.  And 
may  He  whose  love  is  greater  than  ours,  confer  upon  each 
and  all  of  us  greater  blessings  than  we,  ourselves,  can  give 
or  receive. 

Mrs.  Smith  extemporized  a  poetic  response  in  lines 
as  follows  : 

On  looking  back  o'er  fifty  years 
How  very  brief  the  time  appears  ! 
The  hours  but  moments  seem  to  me  ; 
That  Time  has  wings  I  plainly  see. 
The  fact  that  figures  don't  deceive, 
Is  all  that  makes  me  now  believe 
That  half  a  hundred  years  have  fled 
Since  in  the  church  we  two  were  wed. 
If  years  give  wisdom,  as  they  say, 
How  wise  we  ought  to  be  today. 

A  present  of  pearls  was  received  from  Mrs.  E.  E. 
Orcutt,  of  San  Diego,  and  a  souvenir kf rom  Mrs.  Ly  dia 
E.  Anthony,  of  Mansfield  Center,  Conn.,  sisters  of 
Mrs.  Smith.  Misses  Etta  L.  and  Rosa  Belle  Smith 
also  remembered  their  grandmama,  the  former  with 
a  set  of  silver  knives  and  the  latter  with  a  cabinet 
photo  of  her  sweet  little  self.  Mrs.  Eunice  Marsh,  a 
niece,  of  Mansfield  Center,  Conn.,  also  sent  a  souve- 
nir. Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  H.  Orcutt,  of  San  Diego,  pre- 
sented a  beautiful  gilt-framed  oil  painting  of  a  sunset 
scene  in  Holland,  executed  by  Mrs.  Orcutt.  Mrs.  E. 
E.  Orcutt's  gift  was  accompanied  by  the  following 
lines : 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  PROSE  97 

Ring,  ring  again,  ye  marriage  bells, 

O'er  fifty  years  your  music  swells, 

For  every  joy  along  the  way, 

Ring,  ring  ye  bells,  again  today! 

And  friends  and  kindred,  far  and  near, 

Rejoice  these  marriage  bells  to  hear. 

And  with  your  crown  of  orange  flowers 

Turn  wishes  golden  for  these  golden  hours ; 

And  grateful  notes,  more  sweet  than  joy, 

Now  all  our  tongues  and  hearts  employ. 

During  the  day,  while  all  were  absent,  a  beautiful 
basket  of  choice  flowers  from  Mrs.  A.  J.  Chase  and 
a  booklet — "  Golden  Grain  " — from  Mrs.  P.  D.  Valen- 
tine, were  left  at^the  door  of  the  residence  on  Ninth 
street,  between  C  and  D,  each  accompanied  by  a  note 
of  congratulations. 

It  was  8:30  o'clock  when  the  start  was  made  for 
the  scene  of  the  picnic  that  was  on  the  programme. 
The  company  embraced  Mr.  and  Mrs.  C.  K.  Smith, 
Miss  Rosa  Smith,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  Russell  Smith, 
Misses  Etta  L.,  Floy  E.  and  Rosa  Belle  Smith,  Ken- 
nie  S.  Smith,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  R.  Berry,  Mrs.  E.  E. 
Orcutt  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  H.  Orcutt.  The  morn- 
ing was  foggy  and  a  little  chilly;  but  it  is  a  rare  day 
in  San  Diego  that  does  not  have  sunshine  on  a  part 
of  it,  and  by  noon  the  fog  was  dispelled.  An  hour 
and  a  half  sufficed  to  traverse  the  eight  miles  to  the 
Mussel  Beds.  Two  or  three  hours  among  the  rocks, 
caves  and  shells,  and  there  were  whetted  appetites 
demanding  lunch.  On  the  warm,  clean,  surf-washed 
sands  the  repast  was  spread.  With  the  surf  thun- 
dering at  their  feet,  in  the  fresh,  bracing  sea-breeze, 
the  company  discussed  the  provisions  till  a  very 
great  miracle  would  have  been  required  to  collect 


98  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  PROSE 

fragments  for  refilling  the  baskets  that  came  thither 
well-filled.  Lunch  ended,  a  siesta  of  an  hour  fol- 
lowed, then  a  little  more  rambling  on  the  beach  dally- 
ing with  the  waves,  and  then  the  return  home. 

This  report  is  imperfect  till  it  has  given  some  ac- 
count of  the  worthy  pair  to  whom  the  occasion  chiefly 
belonged.  Charles  Kendall  Smith  and  Lucretia  Gray 
were  married  at  Woodstock,  Vermont,  July  7,  1835, 
by  Rev.  B.  C.  C.  Parker,  Rector  of  the  Episcopal 
Church  at  that  place.  Mr.  Smith  was  at  that  time 
publishing  a  paper  called  the  //enrp  Clay,  or  the  Ver- 
mont Courier.  Two  years  later  they  removed  to  Graf- 
ton,  111.,  where  he  assisted  in  publishing  The  {Back- 
woodsman. In  1839  they  removed  to  Rock  Island, 
and  in  1 847  to  Monmouth,  111.,  at  which  latter  place, 
Mr.  Smith  began  the  publication  of  ^he  Monmouth 
Atlas,  with  which  he  continued  until  1857.  In  Oc- 
tober, 1875,  they  came  to  California  in  search  of 
health,  spending  the  following  winter  in  San  Fran- 
cisco. In  March,  1 876,  they  came  south  to  Los  An- 
geles and  Anaheim,  spending  five  weeks  at  the  latter 
place.  In  May  of  the  same  year  they  came  to  San 
Diego,  where  they  found  the  conditions  of  climate 
they  were  in  search  of  and  decided  to  locate. 

RESPONSE 

(  Mrs.  C.  K.  Smith  to  her  sister,  Mrs.  L.  E.  Anthony,  of 
Mansfield  Center,  Conn. 

How  the  golden  presents   come 
Freighted  with  good  wishes  from 
Relatives  and  friends  ! 

How  these  missives  from  afar, 
Friendship  laden  as  they  are, 
Bring  to  mind  our  friends  ! 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  PROSE  99 

Loving  friends  we  knew  erewhile, 
Who  with  hand  and  loving  smile, 
Greeted  us  as  friends. 

Far  from  friends  so  tried  and  true, 
Now  we  think  of  them  anew, 
As  trusted  friends. 

Trusted  friends  with  whom  we  dwelt 
All  our  woes  by  them  were  felt, 
Sympathizing  friends. 

How  our  hearts  within  us  burn, 
As  from  day  to  day  we   learn 
The  fate  of  friends. 

One  has  climbed  the  stair  of  fame, 
And  high  up  has  placed  his  name, 
Among  his  friends. 

One  has  felt  the  deepest  woe, 
And  alone  has  had  to  go 
For  want  of  friends. 

We  shall  surely  reach  a  clime, 

Where  will  justice  be  in  time, 

Meted  out  to  friends. 


100  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  PROSE 


LIFE  WORTH  LIVING. 

Is  life  worth  living  ?  What  an  insane  question !  Are 
dreams  worth  dreaming  ?  Are  thoughts  worth  thinking  ? 
What  does  anyone  know  about  life  ? 

Every  person  finJs  himself  in  possession  of  life  and  the 
use  he  makes  of  what  life  he  has  will  decide  the  question 
whether  his  life  is  worth  living — whether  it  is  worthy  of 
the  Life  Giver — a  noble  son  of  a  noble  Father.  A  worthy 
son  makes  himself  worthy  of  his  honored  father.  If  he 
makes  a  dishonorable  use  of  his  life,  he  dishonors  his 
father.  God  is  the  father  of  us  all.  If  we  use  the  life  he 
has  given  us,  improving  all  our  talents  in  usefulness,  then 
we  make  our  life  worth  living. 

No  one  can  step  out  of  life  because  he  thinks  it  not 
worth  living.  He  may  separate  himself  from  his  body 
and  find  himself  hampered  for  the  want  of  it.  A  traveller 
may  drown  his  horse  and  find  himself  hampered  for  the 
want  of  it.  He  is  still  a  traveller,  obliged  to  get  over  the 
ground  the  best  way  he  can.  Is  it  not  better  to  avail  our- 
selves of  all  the  facilities  for  journeying  through  life  than 
to  cut  them  off  or  shut  ourselves  out  from  them  ?  Since 
we  are  started  on  life's  journey  independent  of  our  own 
volition,  can  we  not  trust  to  the  power  of  the  One  to  carry 
us  safely  through  our  journey's  end  ?  But  who  can  fore- 
tell the  end  ?  Who  knows  anything  about  the  beginning  ? 
Shall  we  refuse  to  eat  delicious  fruit  because  we  do  not 
know  which  was  first — the  tree  that  bore  the  fruit  or  the 
seed  that  produced  the  tree  ?  Sufficient  for  us  hungry 
mortals  to  know  that  it  is  for  us  to  pluck  und  eat.  So  of 
the  life  that  is  ours.  We  cannot  possibly  relinquish  it  any 
more  than  we  can  check  the  sunshine  or  stay  the  rain  and 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  PROSE          101 

evening  dew.  We  have  the  life  and  we  have  no  right  to 
ask  if  it  is  worth  living  any  more  than  to  ask,  is  the  sun 
worth  shining,  or  the  stars  worth  twinkling  ?  We  are 
helpless  in  the  matter  of  changing  the  order  of  our  life  as 
well  as  the  order  of  the  celestial  orbs. 

Life  is  not  in  our  control,    worth   living   or   not,   neither 
the  beginning  nor  the  ending. 


TEMPERANCE. 

John  B.  Gough,  a  reformed  dram-drinker,  says  "  every 
moderate  drinker  could  abandon  the  intoxicating  cup  if  he 
would — every  inebriate  would  if  he  could !"  What  a 
forcible  declaration  to  induce  those  who  only  indulge  in 
an  occasional  glass  to  abstain  from  it  altogether.  Neither 
once,  nor  twice  drinking  to  excess  makes  the  inebriate.  It 
has  grown  on  him  gradually  from  a  beginning  of  what  he 
termed  temperate,  harmless  drinking.  But  there  is  no  such 
thing  as  temperate  drinking.  Upon  the  temperate  and 
the  venders  of  this  poison,  does  the  sin  of  the  inebriate  in 
a  great  measure  fall.  Let  the  man  who  in  his  sober  senses 
quaffs  his  harmless  glass,  relinquish  it  entirely — let  the 
rumseller  exchange  his  traffic  for  an  occupation  more  en- 
nobling to  humanity,  and  the  time  is  nigh  at  hand  when 
the  hopeless  inebriate  will  be  known  only  among  the 
things  that  were. 


102  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  PROSE 


BILLY'S    CAP. 

[The  publisher  of  Word  and  Works,  a  monthly,  St.  Louis, 
Mo.,  offered  a  prize  for  the  best  second  chapter  to  a  story 
entitled  Billy 's  Cap,  the  first  chapter  of  which  appeared  in 
the  November  (1907)  issue  of  that  paper.  This  prize  was 
awarded  to  the  author  of  the  contents  of  this  book.  The 
first  chapter  of  Billy  s  Cap  dealt  with  a  boy  named  William 
Harrison  MacDougall,  familiarly  called  Billy,  to  whom  the 
fault  of  carelessness  was  imputed  because  he  so  frequently 
lost  his  cap.  Billy's  Aunt  Geraldine  lived  with  the  family, 
with  ideas  of  the  discipline  adapted  to  correct  Billy's  fault 
that  were  rather  more  severe  than  those  of  his  own  mother. 
Billy's  taste  of  his  aunt's  disciple  came  when  his  mother 
went  off  on  a  visit.  In  her  absence,  Billy  was  in  charge  of 
his  aunt.  During  this  time,  as  punishment  for  the  loss  of 
his  cap,  Billy  was  kept  at  home  from  a  lawn  party  which 
he  wished  very  much  to  attend  with  his^sister  Dorothy. 
But  it  turned  out  that  this  time  Billy  had  not  in  fact  lost  his 
cap.  On  the  contrary,  he  had  hung  it  011  its  proper  peg, 
upon  which  also,  and  over  the  cap,  Aunt  Geraldine  had 
hung  her  jacket  and  in  this  jacket  the  soft  cap  became  so 
folded  that  it  escaped  notice  till  the  aunt  took  off  her 
jacket  which  she  had  worn  to  the  lawn  party.  The  dis- 
covery of  the  cap  relieved  Billy  of  blame  for  its  loss  and 
opened  the  way  for  him  to  attend  the  lawn  party  in  the 
afternoon,  which  he  did.  The  prize  chapter  above  re- 
ferred to,  and  which  follows,  is  a  sequel  to  the  finding  of 
the  cap.] 

As  soon  as  Aunt  Geraldine  learned  that  Billy's  cap  had 
all  the  time  been  under  her  jacket  while  she  was  saying  to 
him  severely,  "  nobody  has  taken  your  cap  away,"  it  came 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  PROSE  103 

to  her  memory  like  a  flash  that  coming  in  late  the  night 
before  and  in  the  dark,  she  had  temporarily  thrown  her 
jacket  onto  Billy's  peg.  Then  when  ready  to  go  up  stairs 
had  snatched  it  off  quickly  with  the  soft,  unruly  cap  inside 
of  it 

Next  morning,  to  be  early  at  the  lawn,  as  she  was  one  of 
the  young  ladies  who  were  working  hard  to  make  the 
party  a  success,  donned  her  jacket  without  discovering  the 
unusual  hump,  although  it  did'nt  feel  just  right ! 

She  thought  of  her  words  implying  a  falsehood  or  a  mis- 
take on  the  part  of  Billy  and  his  sister  in  the  positive  as- 
sertion, "  if  you  hung  your  cap  there  last  night  and  haven't 
taken  it  down  this  morning,  why,  then,  it  hangs  there  now. 
That  stands  to  reason.'* 

Billy  and  his  sister  both  admitted  *'  it  stands  to  reason," 
at  the  same  time  insisting  that  it  was  not  there. 

Now  at  this  unpleasant  stage  of  affairs,  while  good  Aunt 
Geraldine  was  feeling  like  a  culprit,  she  was  reminded  of 
a  circumstance  which  occurred  when  she  was  taking  a 
graduate  course  at  college  where  was  taught  cooking,  dish- 
washing, ironing  and  other  household  duties,  including 
bringing  up  children. 

One  of  the  rules  was  to  waste  no  time  idly  waiting  for 
orders,  but  to  have  some  needle  work  handy  to  pick  up, 
and  notice  how  much  can  be  accomplished  by  improving 
these  few  moments.  On  one  occasion  she  had  laid  a 
light  piece  of  embroidery  on  the  seat  of  an  open  window 
anJ  on  returning  to  pick  it  up,  found  it  was  gone.  Her 
first  exclamation  was,  "  I  left  it  here,  and  it  could  not  have 
got  away  without  hands."  But  the  sequel  proved  that  it 
did  get  away  without  hands,  though  no  more  alive  than 
Billy's  cap. 


(04  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  PROSE 

After  searching  everywhere  and  giving  it  up  as  not  to 
be  found,  a  white  thread  was  seen  hanging  down  from 
one  of  the  shade  strees,  and  investigating  the  affair  it  was 
found  that  a  bird  had  lined  its  nest  with  the  fancy  work. 

Aunt  Gerald ine  had  been  blessed  with  a  good  share  of 
native  ability,  and  her  opportunities  for  culture  had  been 
rare  ;  she  had  imbibed  correct  theories  upon  managing  a 
household,  especially  of  bringing  up  children.  The  more 
she  loved  them,  the  more  she  cared  for  their  welfare,  so 
much  the  more  should  she  be  strenuous  in  the  ways  that 
were  deemed  for  the  best.  '  *'  Train  up  a  child  in  the  way 
he  should  go,"  will  apply  and  do  to  follow  in  all  cases. 
As  before  said,  Aunt  Geraldine  had  all  these  good  theories 
to  perfection,  but  this  visit  to  her  married  sister  was  her 
first  opportunity  of  putting  them  in  practice.  And  this  re- 
sult of  the  first  effort  was  not  a  little  humiliating.  All  this 
while  Billy  was  learning  for  the  first  time  that  there  is  a 
pleasure  in  self-denial,  and  a  lesson  in  disappointment. 
Although  he  was  sure  he  was  right  about  his  cap  being  in 
its  proper  place,  he  knew  there  had  been  times  when  he 
had  annoyed  his  parents  by  carelessness,  and  felt  that  he 
deserved  punishment.  He  seemed  suddenly  to  have 
grown  older,  more  manly  and  more  reasonable  ;  seriously 
considering  that  he  must  guide  himself  into  correct  ways, 
and  not  wait  for  a  wise  aunt  to  direct  him.  And  while  he 
was  giving  the  matter  thought,  his  aunt  was  undergoing 
self-examination.  She  had  a  right  to  feel  wise  and  self- 
satisfied,  for  has  she  not  out-stripped  all  her  competitors  ? 
But  she  learned  that  experience  is  a  good  teacher ;  so  both 
parties  profited  by  the  unpleasant  mistake. 

Aunt  Geraldine  was  loving  and  desired  always  to  be 
just,  and  so  she  considered  it  neccessary  to  make  amends 
as  far  as  possible,  for  Billy's  severe  disappointment. 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  PROSE  105 

Billy  had  an  indulgent  father  and  a  loving  mother* 
When  his  father  showed  him  a  memorandum  of  the  caps 
he  had  lost  the  last  six  months,  he  felt  a  slight  tinge  of  re* 
gret,  for  he  loved  his  father,  and  he  was  naturally  amiable. 
But  it  did  not  touch  him  personally,  and  boy  fashion,  he 
rather  liked  to  have  a  new  cap  often.  Had  he  been  put  to 
some  disagreeable  task  until  he  had  earned  the  money  to 
buy  another  cap,  he  might  have  learned  the  lesson  earlier. 
Being  deprived  of  going  to  the  lawn  party  was  his  first  ex- 
perience in  self-deniaL 

Billy's  mother  had  been  very  judicious  in  her  instruc- 
tions, love  always  manifest  in  her  severest  discipline.  Al- 
ways careful  not  to  impose  too  many  restrictions  at  one 
time.  Children  who  would  like  to  please  mother  by  obe- 
dience, sometimes  get  "  dou't  do  this  or  don't  do  that,"  so 
mixed  in  their  minds  that  it  is  difficult  to  separate  them. 
Then  their  attention  is  easily  diverted  by  some  incident  or 
suggestion,  causing  apparent  heedlessness.  I  am  reminded 
of  a  little  tot  telling  her  mother  the  teacher  taught  her  a 
verse  :  "  Fear  not,  I  will  send  you  a  quilt," 

"Comforter"  was  the  word,  instead  of  quilt.  Numerous 
instances  of  innocent  substitutions  of  words  of  similar 
meaning  could  be  related.  As  the  unpleasant  episode  of 
the  lost  cap  had  spoiled  the  pleasure  of  the  morning  at 
the  lawn  party  anticipated  by  Billy,  Dorothy  and  Aunt 
Gertrude,  they  were  by  the  contrast  better  prepared  for 
enjoyment  in  the  afternoon.  But  the  first  thing  was  to  find 
the  boy.  While  feeling  the  injustice  of  the  present  punish- 
ment, he  learned  the  lesson  that  it  was  not  so  hard  to  be 
blamed  wrongfully  as  it  was  to  be  really  guilty ;  he  had  a 
hearty  cry  soon  as  he  was  by  himself  which  gave  him  re- 
lief, but  he  did  not  want  his  sister  and  aunty  to  know  he 


106  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  PROSE 

was  baby  enough  to  cry  ;  then  he  enjoyed  remembering 
that  he  truly  did  not  lose  his  cap  this  time  ;  his  sister  knew 
it,  too,  so  he  was  comparatively  calm  when  found  at  work 
on  his  window  seat.  To  his  aunt's  surprise  Billy  was  less 
agitated  than  she  was  herself.  Dorothy  could  hardly  con- 
tain herself  for  joy  ;  she  sprang  to  him,  clasping  him  close, 
happier  than  her  brother. 

Things  at  the  lawn  party  had  gone  on  slowly  all  the 
morning,  try  as  they  would  to  make  it  a  success.  Now  the 
afternoon  would  be  better ;  the  air  was  cool  and  the  "don- 
key riding  was  the  best  of  anything,"  said  Billy.  The 
smiles  of  the  aunt  and  sister,  gladdened  by  his  enjoyment 
gave  him  such  pleasure  and  freedom  as  he  had  never  be- 
fore known.  Not  once  did  they  say  "  don't  lose  your  cap,'* 
don't  get  hurt,"  "  don't  run  against  that  child,"  not  one  of 
the  disagreeable  don'ts.  Ever  after  Billy  was  more  care- 
ful, his  aunt  less  strenuous,  and  the  mother  most  happy  to 
perceive  that  her  sister's  discipline  had  not  been  fruitless. 


HOW  TO  KNOW. 

Emerson  says :  "  Why  should  not  we  have  a  poetry  and  a 
philosophy  of  sight,  and  not  of  tradition ;  and  a  religion  of 
revelation  to  us,  and  not  the  history  of  foregoing  genera- 
tions? Why  should  wa  grope  among  the  dry  bones  of  the 
past?  The  sun  shines  today  also." 

Many  people  are  striving  to  "know  the  Lord,"  while 
neglecting  to  know  themselves,  the  only  avenue.  When 
they  recognize  and  cultivate  the  good  within  them,  they 
will  know  the  Lord,  and  in  no  other  way. 

Dr.  Geo.  W.  Carey  once  said :  "  A  spiritual  scientist 
brought  some  oxygen  and  hydrogen  to  God  and  asked, 
1  Lord,  what  are  these  gases  ?'  and  the  Lord  said  '  they  are 
the  molecules  in  the  blood  and  body  of  the  universe.'  'If 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  PROSE          107 

so,  what  manner  of  molecules  constitute  thy  blood  and 
body  ?'  The  Lord  answered,  '  they  are  the  same.  I  am 
the  universe  and  besides  me  there  is  no  other ! '  '  What 
then  is  spirit  ? '  '  As  water  and  ice  are  one,  so  spirit  and 
matter  are  one.  ' 

"  The  spiritual  scientist  then  said  :  '  Lord  I  now  perceive 
that  when  I  breathe  I  breathe  Thee,  when  I  drink  I  drink 
Thee,  and  when  I  eat  I  eat  Thee.  And  the  Lord  said,  '  Let 
there  be  Light.  Thou  art  redeemed  by  thy  understand- 
ing.'" 

It  is  only  through  the  fires  of  transmutation  that  we  are 
enabled  to  see  that  all  life  is  one,  Eternal  Life — and  there- 
fore cannot  be  taken,  injured  or  destroyed. 


A   FALSE    OPINION. 

A  false  opinion  or  belief  affects  the  person  who  holds  it 
more  than  any  one  else.  The  truth  can  no  more  be  con- 
fined than  the  sunshine.  And  it  is  equally  exhaustless.  Nei- 
ther can  it  be  monopolized ;  whoever  thinks  he  has  it  all 
within  his  grasp  is  unfortunate.  It  is  a  sad  delusion  ;  it  will 
take  an  eternity  to  learn  it  all;  no  hope  for  the  one  who 
thinks  he  knows  all  now ;  what  will  he  do  throughout  the 
coming  years  with  nothing  more  to  learn — with  that  broad 
avenue  of  happiness  closed  ? 

There  is  nothing  more  exhilerating  to  one  who  wants  to 
make  a  discovery  than  the  coming  mental  light  which  shows 
or  exemplifies  to  him  the  heart  of  the  subject  he  is  contem- 
plating. Perseverance  on  a  given  line  discloses  a  fact  or 
elucidates  a  truth  which  enables  the  searcher  to  perceive 
other  desirable  agents  which  he  continues  to  grasp  until 
immensity  broad  opens  before  him.  His  ardor  is  strength- 
ened as  knowledge  increases  and  he  is  gladdened  accord- 
ingly. 


108  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  PROSE 

TRIP  TO  THE  MOON. 

[June.  1901.] 

I  had  been  reading  a  treatise  on  dreaming,  which  con- 
tended that  a  person  could  learn  through  a  dream  much 
that  was  important  and  true,  which  it  was  impossible  to 
obtain  in  any  other  way. 

This  is  the  modus  operand i. 

"  On  retiring  at  night,  think  of  something  you  want  ex- 
plained or  elucidated,  concentrate  the  mind  upon  it,  driv- 
ing out  all  foreign  thoughts  and  your  dreams  will  reveal 
the  facts  upon  the  subject  you  are  contemplating."  This 
was  tried  one  night  most  satisfactorily. 

Having  heard  from  childhood  that  the  moon  was  made 
of  green  cheese,  and  never  quite  sure  of  its  truth,  here  was 
an  opportunity  to  solve  the  vexed  problem. 

In  my  dream  that  night  I  went  directly  to  the  moon. 
The  inhabitants  greeted  me  with  the  united  exclamation 
"  here  is  a  man  from  that  dull  star  called  the  earth ! " 

They  were  not  so  much  surprised  as  they  otherwise 
would  have  been,  because  I  was  not  the  first  person  who 
had  visited  them  from  a  far  away  planet. 

Very  soon  after  my  arrival  I  ascertained  that  the  moon 
was  verily  composed  of  green  cheese  !  The  dwellers  upon 
the  moon  all  seemed  to  be  aware  of  this,  and  simultane- 
ously cried,  "  how  could  we  be  sustained  if  it  were  not 
so  ? "  They  showed  me  how  they  cut  slices  from  it 
whenever  they  were  hungry. 

They  had  gold  knives,  silver  knives,  iron  knives  and 
wooden  knives  with  which  to  cut  the  cheese.  Singularly 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  PROSE          109 

enough,  cheese  cut  with  each  knife  produced  a  different 
article  of  diet.  So  that  whatever  their  appetite  craved, 
they  had  only  to  take  the  knife  which  that  kind  of  food 
represented.  This  arrangement  would  relieve  them  of  all 
anxiety  as  to  what  they  should  eat,  what  they  should  drink, 
or  wherewithal  be  clothed.  Their  heads  and  bodies,  ex- 
cept the  face  and  hands,  were  covered  with  a  short,  hand- 
some fur. 

They  called  themselves  twins,  instead  of  brothers  as  we 
do,  and  they  looked  exactly  alike.  I  could  not  tell  one 
from  another.  All  one  in  the  moon  ?  All  seemed  to  be 
of  one  mind.  What  one  knew  they  all  knew.  I  would 
talk  with  one  and  then  direct  my  speech  to  another,  and 
he  would  go  right  on  with  the  argument  as  if  he  had  been 
the  one  I  was  at  first  conversing  with  !  A  more  contented, 
self-satisfied  people  could  never  be  found. 

There  was  no  night  on  the  moon,  or  rather  it  should  be 
said  it  was  all  night.  The  same,  cloudless,  mellow  moon- 
light all  the  time.  No  cold  winters,  no  hot  summers.  Just 
deliciously  warm  and  deliciously  cool. 

They  related  to  me  their  experience  with  a  man  from  the 
planet  Jupiter,  who  once  upon  a  time  paid  them  a  visit. 
He  told  them  such  wondrous  stories  of  the  inhabitants  of 
that  planet,  they  knew  he  was  a  deceiver,  and  pitched  him 
over  the  rim  of  the  moon,  and  that  was  the  last  of  him ! 
"  He  said  that  the  people  on  the  planet  Jupiter  had  brains, 
which  they  carried  in  their  heads,  and  we  did  not  believe 
it."  Then  they  asked  me  outright  if  I  ever  heard  of  any 
such  people  upon  the  earth  where  I  came  from  ?  Now  I 
I  perceived  that  I  must  answer  them  cautiously,  or  I  might 
share  the  fate  of  my  Jupiterian  brother.  1  told  them  there 
were  a  few  persons  in  our  world  who  thought  they  had 


1 10  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  PROSE 

brains,  but  if  so  they  did  not  know  how  to  use  them  ! 

They  never,  as  we  do,  make  any  provision  for  the  mor- 
row. Sufficient  for  the  day  is  the  supply  thereof.  No  one 
ever  sliced  a  bit  of  cheese  which  was  not  then  and  there 
devoured.  Whether  this  was  because,  like  the  manna  in 
the  wildnerness,  the  cheese  would  spoil  if  thus  kept,  or 
because  it  was  so  accessible  where  it  rested  in  the  bosom 
of  Mother  Moon,  I  do  not  know ! 

Be  this  as  it  may,  I  told  them  that  our  earth  was  very 
much  like  their  moon,  inasmuch  as  all  our  supplies  came 
from  the  earth,  with  this  difference :  while  theirs  was 
alike  all  around,  giving  each  person  an  equal  chance  with 
all  others,  some  portions  of  our  earth  offered  more  favor- 
able inducements  to  industry  than  others.  There  are  in 
some  places  soft  spots,  requiring  less  labor  to  produce 
food.  Besides,  our  people  are  different.  We  are  only 
brothers,  not  twins,  like  you.  We  have  also  cunning  men, 
learned  in  all  the  arts  of  accumulating.  These  are  alert, 
always  striving  for  the  "  soft  places,"  ready  to  take  slices 
from  the  different  products  of  the  earth  sufficient  for  many 
years.  Often  getting  more  than  they  could  use  in  a  life- 
time. 

Every  laboring  man  works  with  the  hope  of  some  day 
becoming  like  the  favored  ones.  But  many  delve  on  till 
comes  the  change  that  comes  to  all  on  the  planet  earth, 
which  change  is  wrongly  called  death. 

After  this  change  the  people  find  themselves  enough 
alive  to  learn  the  truth  and  justice  of  the  sentence,  "  with 
what  measure  ye  mete  it  shall  be  measured  to  you  again." 

One  would  naturally  think  that  cutting  slices  from  the 
moon  for  their  daily  sustenance,  would  diminish  the  size 
of  their  world.  But  not  so.  They  tried  to  explain  to  me, 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  PROSE  1 1 1 

that  by  some  invisible  process  the  substance  they  took  from 
the  moon  was  restored,  and  the  supply  always  at  hand. 
All  was  restored  to  the  place  from  whence  it  came.  Is  our 
earth  diminished  by  the  food  produced  from  the  ground 
and  consumed  by  the  inhabitants?  I  never  so  fully  rea- 
lized this  till  observing  the  simple  process  upon  the  moon. 
Think  of  the  millions  of  tons  of  hay,  grain  and  vegetables 
taken  from  the  earth  in  one  year !  If  piled  together  in  one 
bulk,  what  a  huge  mountain  it  would  make,  to  say  nothing 
of  the  live  stock  and  forests  added  thereto !  One  can 
hardly  imagine  the  space  such  an  accumulation  would  oc- 
cupy. The  globe  is  not  made  smaller  by  the  removal  of 
this  huge  mass.  So  of  the  moon,  nothing  is  lost  or  re- 
moved from  the  orb.  Change  is  the  order  the  same  as  in 
our  world.  The  diminution  is  only  local  and  temporary 
like  an  excavation  made  in  our  earth  for  any  purpose. 
What  astronomers  call  the  "  mountains  in  the  moon  "  may 
have  been  produced  by  some  localities  having  been  left 
untouched  for  a  given  length  of  time.  This  might  account 
for  the  craters  seen  also.  Asaph  Hall,  the  discoverer  of 
the  moons  on  the  planet  Mars  says,  "  nobody  knows  how 
the  strange  craters  scattered  over  the  moon's  surface  were 
formed."  Astronomers  are  divided  in  their  opinions  about 
the  moon.  They  have  never  been  there.  Not  one  of 
them  has  ever  talked  with  "  the  man  in  the  moon."  A  di- 
versity of  opinions  also  as  to  the  man.  It  has  recently  been 
discovered  that  it  is  the  "  new  woman  "  who  looks  smilingly 
down  upon  earth.  Persons  have  actually  seen  a  picture 
of  Luna  with  a  clear  outline  of  the  maiden's  face  !  It  could 
not  be  mistaken  for  a  man.  A  Chicago  daily  is  authority 
for  the  statement  that  "  a  medallion  likeness  of  W.  E.  Glad- 
stone and  Delia  Fox  has  been  discovered  in  the  moon." 
Yet  in  face  of  all  these  facts  astronomers  assert  that  "  all 
moons  are  dead  and  cold  orbs."  Our  moon,  near  to  us  as 
she  is,  and  observable  in  detail  by  the  telescope,  is  a  great 
mystery." 


1 12  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  PROSE 


"  THE  CHEERFUL  NEVER  GROW  OLD." 

[  The  following  was  written  and  published  in  the  year 
1850.  Its  sentiment  is  expressive  of  the  temperament  of 
its  author  whose  longevity  is  no  doubt  attributable,  among 
other  virtues,  to  her  unfailing  cheerfulness  which  made  her 
presence  a  constant  benediction.] 

The  saying  that  a  "  cheerful  person  is  as  young  at  the 
age  of  60  as  at  16,"  was  verified  in  my  mind,  on  visiting  a 
few  days  since  a  lady  who  remembers  to  have  seen  our 
first  President,  General  Washington.  It  was  my  pleasure 
to  spend  a  day  with  this  venerable  lady,  and  the  cheerful- 
ness, vivacity  and  graceful  dignity  with  which  she  enter- 
tained her  guests,  made  one  forget  age,  and  its  accompany- 
ing infirmities.  And  even  little  children,  in  lively  confi- 
dence consulted  her  about  their  amusements,  as  in  unre- 
strained familiarity  they  would  approach  one  another — 
the  consequence  of  which  was,  their  unreservedly  opening 
their  young  hearts  to  her,  thus  enabling  her  to  become  ac- 
quainted with  their  several  peculiarities,  and  in  an  easy 
manner  to  direct  their  attention  to  the  formation  of  right 
habits,  without  the  children  once  suspecting  they  were  re- 
ceiving a  correction,  or  subjected  to  an  irksome  discipline. 

Now,  what  was  the  occasion  of  this  lady's  constant 
cheerfulness  ?  Was  it  because  her  life  had  been  all  sun- 
shine, and  she  had  been  exempt  from  the  cares,  misfor- 
tunes, and  heart-rending  bereavement  incident  to  our  mor- 
tal existence,  and  for  which  so  many  even  in  their  younger 
days  think  they  are  excusable  for  indulging  in  gloom  and 
melancholy?  Far  from  it,  To  my  own  knowledge  she 
has  passed  through  afflictions  of  a  peculiarly  trying  nature 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  PROSE  1 1 3 

— such  as  only  those  who  have  experienced  the  same,  can 
in  any  degree  appreciate.  Not  once  did  I  hear  her  com- 
plain of  head-ache,  tooth-ache,  or  yawning  lassitude,  by 
which  too  many  affected,  sentimental  misses  are  wont  to 
annoy  those  in  their  presence.  Was  it  because  she  never 
suffered  from  these  ills  of  the  flesh  ?  Assuredly  not.  But 
my  young  friends,  it  was  owing  to  a  discipline  of  the  mind 
— a  principle  of  true  politeness,  which  "  consists  in  making 
everybody  happy  about  you."  A  principle  which  forbids 
the  expression  or  the  action  of  any  thing  that  would  have 
a  tendency  to  wound  or  offend  another.  Let  this  prin- 
ciple be  early  instilled  in  your  minds  and  constantly  acted 
upon,  and  you  will  find  it  not  only  a  source  of  much  hap- 
piness to  yourselves,  but  will  be  the  means  of  contributing 
greatly  to  the  good  of  others. 

There  is  another,  and  not  unimportant  consideration, 
which  will  contribute  to  agreeableness,  and  will  tend  much 
to  "  making  every  body  happy  about  you."  It  is,  never 
to  allow  yourselves  to  be  untidily  dressed.  •  Often,  all  that 
is  requisite  is  a  little  industry  on  your  part.  It  is  not  ex- 
pense so  much  that  is  needed  to  make  a  well  dressed  per- 
son, as  a  laudable  taste  and  desire  not  to  offend  or  dis- 
please the  eye  of  your  companions.  Cultivate,  then,  as  a 
duty  you  owe  to  others,  and  on  the  principle  of  contribut- 
ing to  others'  enjoyment,  a  taste  for  dress  suitable  and  be- 
coming your  station..  Do  not  let  the  fear  of  being  called 
proud  deter  you  from  this  duty.  It  is  oftener  regard  for 
others,  rather  than  any  undue  feeling  of  self-consequence, 
that  directs  a  judicious  attention  to  dress. 

Now,  young  reader,  now,  in  the  spring  time  of  your 
youth,  is  the  time  to  lay  the  foundation  for  a  cheerful,  use- 
ful and  happy  life.  As  your  tastes  are  directed  now,  so 


1 14  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  PROSE 

will  the  future  reward  you.  Miss  Maria  Edgworth,  when 
in  her  eighty-second  year,  wrote  to  a  friend,  "Our  pleas- 
ures in  literature  do  not,  I  think,  decrease  with  age."  She 
also  stated  in  that  year  she  had  as  much  enjoyment  from 
books  as  she  ever  had  in  any  year  of  her  life — thus  exem- 
plifying the  durability  of  tastes  and  habits  acquired  in 
youth. 

CHEAP  POSTAGE. 

[Editorial  in  Monmouth,  (111.) ./ft /as,  February  18,  1850.] 
We  want  cheap  postage,  and  we  want  it  now.  The  time 
has  come  when  the  people  are  willing  to  bear  this  oppres- 
sive tax  no  longer.  Everywhere  the  public  voice  is  unan- 
imous in  demandiug  a  reduction  of  postage.  The  reduc- 
tion of  postage  is  demanded  as  a  right,  not  asked  as  a 
favor.  The  more  enlightened  a  people  become,  the  more 
unwilling  are  they  to  bear  a  yoke  of  bondage,  be  it  in 
whatever  form  it  may.  And  what  can  be  more  burden- 
some, more  galling  to  a  generous  spirit,  than  to  have  this 
most  delightful  means  of  intercourse  impeded  by  an  ex- 
orbitant tax.  And  this  tax  is  for  what  ?  For  the  benefit  of 
the  poor,  the  oppressed,  the  widow,  and  the  orphan  ?  Oh 
no,  not  for  that.  The  tax  is  laid  upon  the  many  that  a 
favored  few,  in  this  land  of  liberty  and  equal  rights,  may 
be  wholly  exempt  from  taxation — that  a  favored  few  may 
be  privileged  to  transmit  their  documents  and  messages, 
whether  important  or  unimportant,  free,  from  one  end  of 
the  Union  to  the  other. 

A  petition  is  now  in  circulation  in  this  place  praying  for 
a  uniform  postage  of  two  and  one-half  cents  on  letters 
throughout  the  Union.  Let  these  petitions  be  multiplied, 
and  let  miles  of  signatures  be  attached  to  them,  that  Con- 
gressmen may  see  that  the  people  bear  this  oppression 
neither  patiently  nor  silently. 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  PROSE          115 


VETO  MESSAGE. 

[The  following  criticism  was  published  in  the  Mon- 
mouth  (111.)  Atlas,  August  18,  1854.] 

In  today's  paper  is  inserted  President  Pierce 's  message 
to  the  House  of  Representatives,  vetoing  the  River  and 
Harbor  Bill.  This  document  requires  no  comment ;  it 
bears  upon  its  face  its  own  condemnation.  We  think  it 
time  for  our  country  to  cease  boasting  of  being  governed 
by  the  "  sovereign  people,"  when  individual  acts  of  legis- 
lation like  this  veto  and  the  late  outrage  at  San  Juan  can 
trace  their  legitimacy  and  sanction  to  the  American  ex- 
ecutive. 

One  of  the  president's  chief  reasons  for  placing  his  dis- 
approval upon  the  bill  is  a  very  strong  one  why  it  should 
have  received  his  friendly  consideration.  Because  it  has 
"failed  to  obtain  the  approbation  of  successive  Chief  Mag- 
istrates "  is  a  self-sustaining  argument  that  it  is  high  time 
the  merits  of  its  claim  should  be  respected,  and  not  ignor- 
antly  and  indifferently  rejected  as  has  heretofore  been 
done. 

The  President  desires  "  requisite  means  "  for  consider- 
ing the  whole  subject.  We  wish  he  might  abundantly  ob- 
tain these  means  by  a  detention  on  the  rapids  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi— obstructions  of  our  great  National  highway  —and 
that,  too,  at  a  time  when  locomotive  expedition  on  his  part 
would  be  highly  gratifying. 

The  plea  that  the  multiplicity  of  railroads  supersedes  the 
necessity  of  the  removal  of  these  obstructions  is  as  falla- 
cious as  it  is  absurd.  It  is  a  disgrace  to  the  General  Gov- 


116  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  PROSE 

ernment  to  neglect  the  appropriation  of  the  mere  pittance 
that  is  demanded  compared  to  the  advantages  of  having 
our  "ocean  river"  navigable.  Every  individual  American 
is  identified  with  the  great  Father  of  Waters  the  same  as 
he  is  with  Niagara  Falls.  Who  does  not  feel  a  just  pride 
and  a  sense  of  innate  greatness  and  freedom  in  claiming 
nativity  among  such  stupendous  natural  works  ?  When 
nature  has  done  so  much  in  the  hundreds  of  miles  of  nav- 
igable stream,  it  looks  faint-hearted  in  man  to  refuse  to  co- 
operate in  the  work  and  neglect  the  removal  of  slight  ob- 
structions. Had  nature  in  some  benevolent  fancy  so 
thrown  and  leveled  a  continuous  chain  of  rock  as  to  con- 
stitute a  natural  track  for  a  rail  car  over  hundreds  of  miles 
of  cultivated  inhabited  country,  with  only  a  few  miles  lack- 
ing to  reach  a  center  of  commerce,  and  the  executive  re- 
fuse an  appropriation  for  its  completion  would  be  about  as 

penny  wise  as  our  President  in  exercising  his  present  veto- 
ing privilege. 

We  should  think  the  western  press,  especially  of  the 
river  towns,  would  keep  the  subject  in  constant  agitation 
till  something  like  a  shadow  of  justice  is  obtained. 


WORRY  AND  WEARINESS. 

Much  has  been  said  and  many  essays  written  upon  the 
worse  than  uselessness  of  worry.  To  anticipate  trouble  in 
the  future,  or  to  be  continually  distressed  about  the  present 
is  only  a  waste  of  vitality  which  should  be  conserved  for 
the  actual  cares  and  duties  of  life,  from  which  none  are 
exempt. 

To  worry  about  misfortunes  thaat  never  come  is  folly, 
and  if  our  worst  fears  are  realized,  we  have  lessened  our 
capacity  for  bearing  them,  or  overcoming  their  influence. 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  PROSE          1 1 7 

So  from  every  standpoint  to  cherish  a  serene  hopefulness 
and  positive  expectancy  would  be  the  part  of  wisdom ; 
enough  has  been  said  oil  this  subject  to  convince  any  one 
who  will  give  it  a  thought,  of  salutary  effect.  But  as  a 
beautifier,  a  brightener  of  a  dull  countenance,  or  an  in- 
vigorator  of  tired  limbs,  as  a  real  health  lift,  it  has  not  so 
frequently  been  elaborated. 

Another  mistake  is  sometimes  made  which  leaves  its  im- 
press upon  the  countenance  :  that  is  in  considering  the  de- 
tails of  housekeeping  low  or  menial.  No  useful  labor 
should  be  so  considered.  Nor  is  a  woman  well  educated, 
whatever  other  accomplishments  she  may  have  acquired, 
without  the  science  of  housekeeping.  It  implies  general- 
ship as  well  as  cookery  and  other  details.  How  proud  the 
young  husband  is  to  sit  down  to  an  appetizing  meal  that 
his  lovely  wife's  own  hands  have  prepared.  Then  what 
else  can  make  a  home  seem  more  cosy  and  homelike  ? 

In  search  of  truth  I'll  use  my  brains, 

I'll  learn  what  this  bright  earth  contains, 

I'll  know  where  heaven  is,  and  gain 

A  knowledge  sense  cannot  explain. 

As  grass  does  always  upward  grow, 

So  should  our  thoughts  thus  upward  flow. 

Up,  up,  toward  the  rising  sun 
Henceforward  all  my  thoughts  shall  run, 
Till  life  in  this  good  world  is  done, 
For  earth  is  but  a  stepping  stone — 
A  stepping  stone,  or  ladder  strong, 
Which  we  must  climb,  or  plod  along 
Beneath  the  shadows  in  life's  vale 
If  we  cannot  the  mountains  scale. 


118  SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  PROSE 


THE  PRARIE  MAMMOTH. 

[  The  following  graphic  description  of  the  flaming 
scourge  that  before  the  days  of  dense  population  occasion- 
ally devastated  the  great  praries  of  the  West  was  written 
about  1859.] 

Who  has  not  heard  of  the  buffalo  and  wolf  of  our  prai- 
ries ?  Many  a  night  adventurer  has  been  deterred  from 
his  pursuit  by  the  distant  howl  of  the  prairie  wolf.  But 
there  is  an  animal  that  courses  over  our  prairies  which  is 
more  mischievous  and  more  to  be  dreaded  than  the  most 
ferocious  of  these  beasts.  Many  and  various  are  the  de- 
scriptions given  of  this  animal  by  those  who  have  beheld 
it.  So  varied  are  the  shapes  it  assumes,  it  seems  almost  to 
defy  description. 

On  a  calm,  still  day,  when  not  a  breath  of  wind  is  rust- 
ling the  dry,  leafy  verdure,  he  may  be  seen  quietly,  slowly 
grazing  the  tufts  of  grass  within  his  reach,  and  is  then  per- 
fectly harmless  and  manageable.  But  when  a  gentle 
breeze  springs  up,  he  hears  the  noise  of  its  traversing  and 
immediately  elevates  his  head,  extends  his  red  nostrils,  and 
becomes  exceedingly  restless  and  angry.  He  is  now  ad- 
miringly gazed  upon  as  a  gorgeous,  magnificent  and  sub- 
limely beautiful  creature,  making  his  midnight  path  light 
as  noonday  with  his  own  brightness.  Indeed  some  of  the 
largest  of  this  class  of  animals  have  been  known  to  illume 
the  darkest  night  for  miles  in  extent. 

But  it  is  when  the  winds  blow  fiercely,  that  this  giant 
beast  becomes  terrific  and  untameable,  and  is  seen  in  his 
greatest  strength  and  fury.  His  speed  is  swifter  than  the 
fleetest  horse — and  many  a  luckless  hunter  has  been  caught 


SOUVENIR  COLLECTION  OF  PROSE  119 

in  his  savage  jaws.  I  have  seen  whole  families,  men  wo- 
men and  children,  rush  from  their  firesides,  with  spades, 
boards,  or  other  weapons  they  could  seize,  and  as  if  for 
their  lives,  battle  and  try  to  destroy,  or  change  the  direc- 
tion of  this  huge,  ferocious  monster,  when  they  have  seen 
him  with  his  fiery  nostrils,  his  breath  heaving  dense  col- 
umns of  smoke,  making  rapid  strides  towards  an  enclosure 
which  contained  their  all. 

A  peculiar  characteristic  of  this  animal  is,  that  the  more 
his  appetite  is  indulged,  the  more  voracious  he  becomes  ; 
and  whenever  he  is  permitted  by  a  kind-hearted  farmer  to 
feed  at  one  of  his  hay  stacks,  he  exhibits  his  ingratitude  by 
glutting  himself  till  the  yeoman's  entire  crop  of  hay,  grain, 
oats  and  even  every  spear  .of  grass  is  consumed. 

Reader,  would  you  know  the  name  of  this  mammoth 
beast  ?  It  is  called  a  Fire  on  the  Prairie ! 


SELFISHNESS. 

Man  is  triune — animal, -human  and  spiritual.  In  some 
persons  the  animal  seems  to  predominate.  Selfishness 
governs  all  their  actions.  They  may  be  sly  like  a  fox,  and 
not  make  plain  their  real  motives.  They  may  even  upon 
occasions  appear  outwardly  benevolent  and  humane,  but 
at  the  bottom  their  efforts  are  with  a  view  of  their  self-ag- 
grandizement. No  difference  how  beneficial  an  endeavor 
may  be  to  others,  if  it  does  not  redound  to  their  own  ad- 
vantage it  is  considered  an  entire  loss.  Self,  and  self  only, 
is  the  god  they  worship. 

CoulJ  such  men  realize  that  they  receive  in  return  just 
what  they  give  to  others,  their  very  selfishness  would 
prompt  them  to  activity  and  benevolence.  But  they  do 
not  know.  Truly :  "  people  perish  for  want  of  knowledge." 
Ignorance  seems  to  be  the  sin  of  the  world. 


